Combustion Pollutants
This page last reviewed January 29, 2013
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major indoor combustion pollutants are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen
dioxide (NO2), particles (PM10) and polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs). At elevated levels, carbon monoxide causes headaches, fatigue,
queasiness, and at very high levels, brain and heart damage and death.
Other combustion pollutants can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation,
and serious lung disease, including cancer. Smoke from cigarettes or
wood burning contains a particularly toxic combination of many
pollutants that can cause respiratory irritation and cancer. Young
children, people
with asthma, and people with heart or lung disease
are especially vulnerable to the toxic effects of combustion
pollutants. For more information on combustion pollutants see the links
below. A new California law requires that carbon monoxide detectors or alarms were to be installed by July 1, 2011 in all single family dwellings that have any kind of fuel type appliance (gas, propane, etc.) or an attached garage. All other dwellings with fuel appliances or an attached garage must have such devices installed by January 1, 2013. The CO detectors/alarms must be those approved by the California Office of the State Fire Marshall. For questions regarding the requirements of the law, please contact the State Housing Law Program at (916) 445-9471. For a list of CO alarms and detectors approved by the State Fire Marshall's Office, please see the third item below.
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