Roger wrote:
On Tue, 31 Jan 2006 16:20:43 -0500, "Jeff Shirton"
wrote:

"B A R R Y" wrote in message
...

Don't believe you have much of a case for CO 2 poisoning.
It is CO that is the poison!!!
Apparently you never saw Apollo 13.
I think what he's trying to imply is that CO poisons, CO2 simply
displaces breathable air.
Carbon monoxide is poisonous.
Carbon dioxide is poisonous.

Indeed, the distinction you are trying to make doesn't apply,
since CO "simply displaces breathable air" in hemoglobin.

Both can eventually kill you, but in different ways.
Yes, by *poisoning* you.

No, CO2 does not poison you. Like the pillow over a head/face it can
cut off the air, but it is not a poison. It only mechanically
prevents you from breathing air with O2 in it. Remove the CO2 and you
can breath just fine...if you can still breathe. Remove the CO and
you still need treatment as the blood still will not cary O2.
A poison works chemically on the body in one way or another.

Fresh air and exercise are good for refreshing after CO2, but exercise
can kill after CO exposure.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

IIRC CO complexes the hemoglobin leading to a clot. The damage is not
reversible but after a lot of time in fresh air the body will clear out
the damaged hemoglobin. That's much different than CO2.