Environmental Toxin Essay

Carbon is the spine on which all life is supported and is easily one of the most abundant and versatile elements in existence. Carbon is one of the most abundant elements in the human body, second only to oxygen; without it, neither humans, nor any other living thing could exist. Every living thing is dependent on carbon, so why is it that the difference of one little molecule of oxygen can be so deadly? If carbon dioxide is being expelled from our bodies twenty four hours a day, why is it that carbon monoxide can literally take us out of the rat race? Is that one little oxygen molecule really that important? You can bet your grandmother's nickers it is. Carbon dioxide is the natural bi product of human respiration and although prolonged exposure or inhalation can be harmful, it is rarely fatal; while carbon monoxide results from an incomplete combustion of carbon based matter due to an inadequate supply of oxygen (Prockop, Chichkova). Carbon monoxide is known as the silent assassin; it is odorless, colorless, tasteless, and for a while after exposure it will not be irritating. The gas is readily inhaled, just as any other gas and unless you are in the presence of some method of detecting it, you would never know it was there. As little as 50 parts per million of carbon monoxide is toxic to humans, but significant exposure can be fatal and the symptoms associated with carbon monoxide poisoning arise after a decent amount of exposure and time (EPA). The release carbon monoxide emissions from motor vehicle exhaust is one of the most commonly recognized medium of production, but vehicles are not the only producer of carbon monoxide. There are many other ways in which carbon monoxide is produced, in fact any item which runs on carbon based fuels can produce carbon monoxide, including commonly used household appliances such as a