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CO poisoning is difficult to diagnose. Because its symptoms are similar to other common diseases, such as the flu, carbon monoxide is often called "The Great Imitator." Symptoms of low level CO poisoning can include headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizzy spells, and confusion. There are, however, a few hints that can help.
Carbon Monoxide can produce the following physiological effects on people exposed to the concentrations shown below:
| CO in air |
Inhalation time and toxic developed |
| 50 parts per million (ppm) |
Safety level as specified by the Health and Safety Executive |
| 200 PPM |
Slight headache within 2-3 hours |
| 400 PPM |
Frontal headache within 1-2 hours, becoming widespread in 3 hours |
| 800 PPM |
Dizziness, nausea, convulsions within 45 minutes, insensible in 2 hours | |
