It's just one tiny little atom. CO2 (carbon dioxide) is composed of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms, whereas CO (carbon monoxide) consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom.
People who attended public schools in the past few years probably learned that CO2 is an evil substance that will cause the oceans to boil, polar bears to go extinct, and humans to die in their sleep. In fact carbon dioxide is a byproduct of cellular respiration and the burning of fossil fuels or organic matter. Although very high concentrations could cause a person to suffocate, and there are theories that an increased presence in the atmosphere contribute to global warming, it is carbon monoxide that is the real killer. Carbon monoxide is produced from burning something in a confined space.
And the fire department of the adjoining headline is warning of carbon monoxide. Here's the article online with the corrected headline. And here's the October 9 news release in which the fire department advises citizens to have their furnaces and water heaters checked for proper ventilation as well as purchase and install CO detectors.
i am glad that you informed me about the dangers of CO2. I never knew that it could make the polar bears go extinct! i will be more careful next time i go to bed to make sure that i am not inhaling any evil carbon dioxide. i dont want to die in my sleep.
Posted by: joan albertson | September 02, 2010 at 09:28 AM
Sleep tight, Joan. I wouldn't want you to die in your sleep, either. Although I haven't experienced it myself, waking up dead would seem to be a very unpleasant way to greet the new day.
Posted by: Geo | September 02, 2010 at 09:45 AM
wtf?!
Posted by: edward cullen | September 03, 2010 at 09:43 AM
dear edward cullen, i love you but you need to understand how dangerous co2 really is. poor polar bears could be going extinct because of your choices. i know you don't sleep, but if you did i wouldnt want you to wake up dead. thanks for listening.
Posted by: Bella Swann | September 03, 2010 at 09:51 AM
SAVE THE WAREWOLVES!!!!!!
Posted by: Jacob black | September 03, 2010 at 09:53 AM
Most of the observed temperature increase since the middle of the 20th century has been caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases, which result from human activity such as the burning of fossil fuel and deforestation
Posted by: investment costa rica | September 09, 2010 at 04:44 PM
lol Edward Cullen doesn't sleep?!I thought he might have some concern for the world and things in it!
Posted by: anoymous | April 24, 2012 at 11:48 AM