Who Are At Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning? 谁是一氧化碳中 "

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

一氧化碳是什么？

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas which is a by-product from incomplete combustion of any fuel which contains carbon. Common sources of CO include gas water heater, gas stove, exhaust from automobile or any other appliances that burn fuel.

一氧化碳是一种无色、无臭、无味的气体，是任何含碳燃料因不完全燃烧而产生的副产品。一氧化碳的常见来源包括气体热水炉、气体煮食炉、车辆排出的废气或任何真他燃烧燃料的装置。

Why Is Carbon Monoxide Dangerous?

一氧化碳为什么危险？

You cannot smell, see or taste CO, but CO can be lethal. As little as 0.4% concentration of CO in the air can cause unconsciousness and death in a few minutes. CO is absorbed through the lungs and transported by the bloodstream to other parts of the body. Its presence prevents blood from carrying oxygen to the body tissues and causes hypoxic damage.

一氧化碳是嗅不出、看不见、尝不到的，但它会致命。空气中一氧化碳的浓度即使低至0.4%，也会在数分钟内导致失去知觉及死亡。一氧化碳经肺部吸入，借血液流动而运送到身体各部分。一氧化碳能降低血液运送氧气的能力而引致身体组织缺氧受损。

What Are the Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

一氧化碳中毒有什么病症？

The health effects depend on the duration of exposure and the concentration of carbon monoxide inhaled.

一氧化碳中毒对健康的影响，视乎接触时间的长短和所吸入一氧化碳的浓度而定。

Typical symptoms of exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide include:

Headache;

Dizziness;

Tiredness; and

Nausea.

接触少量一氧化碳的典型病症包括：

头痛；

晕眩；

疲倦；以及

恶心。

Higher concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to:

Impaired vision;

Disturbed coordination;

Unconsciousness;

Brain damage; and

Death.

浓度较高的一氧化碳则可导致：

视觉受损；

协调紊乱；

失去知觉；

脑部受损；以及

死亡。

Who Are At Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

谁是一氧化碳中毒的高风险者？

All people are at risk of CO poisoning. The following groups are more susceptible to its effects:

所有人都有一氧化碳中毒的风险，较易受影响的人包括：

Infant and young children;

初生儿及幼童；

Pregnant women;

孕妇；

Elderly people;

长者；

People with cardiovascular or respiratory disease; and

心血管或呼吸道疾病的患者；以及

People with haematological disease that affects oxygen uptake or transport, e.g. anaemia.

影响氧气吸取或输送的血液疾病的患者，例如贫血。

（来源：香港卫生防护中心）

统筹：宁可儿

美编：晓马哥

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