What levels of carbon monoxide do detectors measure? The detectors are designed to protect against acute high levels of carbon monoxide. They are NOT required to warn of low-levels of CO.

: an oxide containing one atom of oxygen in a molecule.

Carbon monoxide is harmful when breathed because it displaces oxygen in the blood and deprives the heart, brain and other vital organs of oxygen. Large amounts of CO can overcome you in minutes without warning — causing you to lose consciousness and suffocate.

Carbon monoxide gas leaves the body the same way it got in, through the lungs. In fresh air, it takes four to six hours for a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning to exhale about half of the inhaled carbon monoxide in their blood.

The symptoms of low levels of CO exposure are similar to flu symptoms or food poisoning: Mild headache. Mild nausea. Shortness of breath.

The CO alarm sounds if your sensor detects a buildup of carbon monoxide in your home—usually before you start sensing symptoms. At lower concentrations (50 ppm), it may take up to eight hours for the alarm to go off. Higher levels (over 150 ppm) can trigger an alarm within minutes.

Keep your home safe from deadly carbon monoxide gas. CO (carbon monoxide) detectors usually wear out in 5-7 years. Replace them with a “fuel-cell electro-chemical” sensor type and with a “peak” level memory to alert you to the highest level of CO present.

CO alarms have a life expectancy of around seven years. All CO alarms produced after August 1, 2009, have an end-of-life warning notification that alerts the resident that the alarm should be replaced. The CO alarm will beep every 30 seconds or display ERR or END.