Final answer:
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is NOT easily detectable by smell because it is odorless and tasteless. It is rapidly absorbed in the body after being produced by incomplete combustion, making CO detectors crucial for safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is NOT easy to detect by smell. This statement is because carbon monoxide is odorless and tasteless, making it a particularly dangerous gas since it can accumulate without being noticed. Unlike ammonia or household natural gas, which have distinct smells due to added substances that allow for easy detection, carbon monoxide does not have such odorants. CO is quickly absorbed in the body, which poses a significant health risk. It is a result of incomplete combustion of organic matter and is therefore a natural result of combustion processes, especially where there is insufficient oxygen.
Carbon monoxide binds with hemoglobin in the red blood cells, forming carboxyhemoglobin and preventing the efficient transport of oxygen throughout the body. Due to its colorless, odorless, and non-irritating properties, it is important to have detectors specifically designed to alert individuals to the presence of CO.