Understand the science inside the body
Following the news of a man's death inside a car in Ghaziabad, the question of whether sleeping in a car with the AC on can be fatal has once again come to the fore. Various claims are being made on social media regarding this topic. However, it's important to understand this issue based on scientific facts and the advice of safety experts.
In this article, we will learn what happens inside the body when we sleep with the AC on in the car, when the danger increases, what is Carbon Monoxide, what are its symptoms and how to avoid it.
⚫ Does simply running the AC cause death?
No.
Just having the car's AC running isn't enough to cause death. The real danger arises when carbon monoxide (CO) from the engine enters the car's cabin.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It's also known as the "silent killer" because people often don't realize they're breathing it in.
⚫ When does the risk increase while sleeping in a car with the AC on?
The risk can increase significantly in the following circumstances:
👉 Running the engine in a closed garage or enclosed space.
👉Keeping the vehicle parked at one place for a long time.
👉Leakage in the car's exhaust system (silencer).
👉Blockage of the exhaust pipe with ice, water, mud or any object.
👉Holes or poor sealing in the car's floor or body, allowing gas to enter.
👉 Lack of regular servicing of the vehicle.
Even if the car is in perfect condition and parked in an open space, it is not considered safe to sleep in the car with the engine running for a long time
⚫ What happens inside the body? (Scientific Reason)
When a person inhales carbon monoxide gas, it reaches the blood through the lungs.
Under normal circumstances, the hemoglobin present in our blood carries oxygen throughout the body.
But the ability of carbon monoxide to bind to hemoglobin is about 200-250 times greater than that of oxygen.
For this reason -
👉Hemoglobin binds to CO instead of oxygen.
👉Not enough oxygen reaches the body parts.
👉The brain and heart are affected first.
👉A person may become unconscious if there is a large amount of CO.
👉If timely treatment is not received, death may also occur.
⚫ What are the initial symptoms?
Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be-
👉Headache
👉Dizziness
👉feeling weak
👉nausea or vomiting
👉excessive sleepiness
👉state of confusion
👉respiratory distress
If the gas level increases then -
👉The person may faint.
👉Seizures may occur.
👉Heart beat may be affected.
👉The risk of death increases.
⚫ What to do if someone is found unconscious in a car?
👉 Immediately open the vehicle door.
👉 engine off.
👉 Take the person to an open environment.
👉 Call emergency medical help immediately.
👉 If the person is not breathing and you have training, start CPR.
👉 Oxygen therapy may be needed in hospital.
⚫ Do such cases come up every year?
Yes. Cases of carbon monoxide poisoning are reported every year in many countries around the world.
Most incidents occur under these circumstances:
👉Keeping the engine running in a closed garage.
👉 Bad exhaust system.
👉Sleeping in the vehicle for long periods of time.
👉 Using the vehicle as a heater during winter.
⚫ What to do to stay safe?
👉 Do not sleep for long periods in the car with the engine running.
👉Never leave the engine running in a closed garage.
👉Get the vehicle serviced regularly.
👉Get the exhaust system checked periodically.
👉If you feel a headache or dizziness, get out of the car immediately.
👉During long journeys, take rest breaks, but with the engine off.
⚫ Do electric cars also have the same risk?
Fully battery-powered electric cars (BEVs) don't produce carbon monoxide from the engine, so there's no particular risk of CO poisoning. However, staying in a closed vehicle for extended periods of time can be uncomfortable or dangerous for other reasons, so general safety precautions are still necessary.
Sleeping in a car with the AC on isn't a cause of death in itself. The real danger arises when carbon monoxide, emitted from the engine, enters the car due to a malfunction or adverse conditions. This gas is odorless and colorless and can disrupt the body's oxygen supply.
Therefore, safety experts advise not to sleep in the car for long periods with the engine running, get the vehicle serviced regularly and not to take any unusual symptoms lightly.
Note: Since the official investigation report for the Ghaziabad incident has not yet been released, it would not be appropriate to conclude that any single factor (such as the AC being on) was the final cause of death. Final conclusions should only be based on the police investigation and post-mortem/forensic report.
Disclaimer
This article is published for general information and public awareness purposes only. The information provided is based on reliable public sources, scientific facts, and general road safety guidelines. It is not intended to represent any definitive conclusions about any individual, organization, or event.
If the article mentions a recent incident, the causes can only be confirmed based on police investigations, post-mortem reports, forensic examinations, and official reports from the relevant authorities. No definitive claims should be made about any incident before the actual cause has been confirmed.
This article is not a substitute for medical, legal, or technical advice. If anyone experiences symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, or other serious health concerns, contact the nearest hospital or emergency medical service immediately.
The author and publisher will not be held responsible for any personal decisions taken based on the information provided in this article or for any direct or indirect loss arising therefrom.
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