Süsinusmonooksiidi

Süsinusmonooksiidi, Estonian term for carbon monoxide (CO), is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas at room temperature. It is a common product of incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels and can be generated by motor vehicles, faulty heating systems, wildfires, or the burning of coal, wood, or charcoal. In Estonian usage, the standard name is süsinikmonooksiid, but the variant süsinusmonooksiidi may appear in informal contexts.

The gas is highly toxic because it binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells with an affinity much greater than that of oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin. This reduces the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity and impairs the release of oxygen to tissues, leading to hypoxia. Early symptoms of exposure include headache, dizziness, weakness, confusion, and nausea; higher levels can cause fainting, coma, or death. CO also affects other hemeproteins and cellular respiration, contributing to organ damage in severe cases.

Süsinikmonooksiid is produced by incomplete combustion in a variety of settings and is also used industrially as a reducing agent and as a feedstock in the production of synthesis gas (a mixture of CO and hydrogen). This gas is a building block for chemicals such as methanol and various hydrocarbons, and it plays a role in metal refining and other catalytic processes.

Safety and handling emphasize the use of properly maintained equipment, adequate ventilation, and carbon monoxide detectors in occupied spaces. In case of suspected poisoning, fresh air and medical evaluation are essential, with treatment ranging from oxygen therapy to more advanced procedures in severe cases.