CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is produced by the incomplete combustion of Carbon in fuel. It is a flammable gas that does not have any colour, smell or taste. Carbon monoxide is highly toxic with cumulative effects. It could enter the flight compartment due to a cabin heater leak (bleed leak) causing several symptoms. Modern aircraft systems can detect carbon monoxide in the air.

When breathing in carbon monoxide, it interferes with the red blood cells mixing with hemoglobin 210 to 250 times better than oxygen. This means that oxygen can no longer mix with hemoglobin and there will be a lack of oxygen delivery to the body tissues. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, nausea, dizziness, sore throat, dry cough, loss of muscular power, impaired judgment and loss of consciousness.

Let's analyze the given options:

A leaking aircraft exhaust system can endanger both crew and passengers because the loss of exhaust back-pressure will cause the engine to fail. → INCORRECT. While exhaust issues can affect engine performance, a leak does not typically cause immediate engine failure.

A leaking aircraft exhaust system can endanger both crew and passengers because increased amounts of carbon monoxide may enter the cabin. → CORRECT. Carbon monoxide (CO) exists in aircraft exhaust because of incomplete combustion of fuel. Even small leaks can introduce carbon monoxide into the cabin.

A leaking aircraft exhaust system can endanger both crew and passengers because the cabin air will become depleted of nitrogen. → INCORRECT. Nitrogen levels are not significantly affected by an exhaust leak.

A leaking aircraft exhaust system can endanger both crew and passengers because it increases the risk of decompression sickness. → INCORRECT. Decompression sickness is related to pressure changes, not exhaust leaks.