Final answer:
Combustion pollutants, including carbon monoxide (CO), are produced by household appliances that burn fuel, as well as from cigarette smoke, and can pose serious health risks if not properly vented.
Step-by-step explanation:
Household appliances such as gas water heaters, space heaters, grills, generators, and even cigarette smoke produce combustion pollutants. These are gases or particles released from burning materials. The types and amounts of pollutants can vary depending on the appliance, how well it is maintained, and the type of fuel used. Common combustion pollutants include carbon monoxide (CO), a potentially lethal gas that is colorless and odorless, making it hard to detect. CO is produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels, including natural gas, gasoline, kerosene, oil, propane, coal, or wood. Cigarette smoke also contains a variety of harmful chemicals, including CO, among others.
Beyond CO, indoor air may be contaminated with substances like dry cleaning fluids, pesticides, and even secondhand smoke, all of which may pose health risks. It is essential for fuel-burning appliances to be properly vented to the outdoors and maintained to prevent the build-up of these dangerous pollutants indoors.