What is the primary health effect of carbon monoxide exposure?

Carbon monoxide (CO) exposure primarily poses a significant health threat due to its ability to bind with hemoglobin in red blood cells more effectively than oxygen. When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it competes with oxygen for binding sites on hemoglobin, forming carboxyhemoglobin, which reduces the amount of oxygen that can be transported throughout the body. This can lead to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, weakness, and in severe cases, it can result in loss of consciousness or death, as tissues become deprived of oxygen necessary for survival.

While carbon monoxide exposure can have wider implications for health, such as exacerbating pre-existing cardiovascular disease or respiratory conditions, the most critical and direct health effect is indeed its impact on oxygen transport by binding to hemoglobin. The effects rely on the concentration of CO and the duration of exposure, with acute exposure being especially dangerous.