ABSTRACT
Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless, tasteless, non-irritant gas. It has been described as a’silent killer’ that each year causes the accidental death of around 50 people and results in the serious injury of another 200 in the United Kingdom. In 1996 there were 877 deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning in England and Wales; the majority were suicides due to car exhaust fumes. Poisoning by carbon monoxide is still an under-recognized problem.
