Why
is Carbon Monoxide so Dangerous? Carbon
monoxide (chemical formula CO) is a colorless, odorless, flammable and highly
toxic gas. It is a major product of the incomplete combustion of carbon and carbon-containing
compounds. Oxygen
is a nonmetallic element constituting 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume.
Oxygen is also found in many compounds such as water and iron ore. It combines
with most elements, is essential for plant and animal respiration, and is required
for nearly all combustion. NOTE
THE SIMILAR STRUCTURES BETWEEN OXYGEN AND CARBON MONOXIDE | | | | | | oxygen
(O2) molecule | | carbon
monoxide (CO) molecule |
|