There's a chemical smell...could it be carbon monoxide?

Question

I just sat down beside my computer after coming from outside. My eyes and throat started burning, and I smelled some sort of chemical. Sort of like fingernail polish remover and ammonia. The smell has subsided and my throat and eyes stopped burning (it lasted about a minute or less). What could it be? There are no obvious chemicals in the house. Could it be carbonmonoxide? This is the first house I've lived in with a gas water heater. If not, what else could it be?

Answer 1

CO won't smell.  Hence the push for CO detectors in houses because it is much harder to detect.

Answer 2

Carbon monoxide is odorless- one of the reasons it is so dangerous. Do you have a meth lab nearby? Or check to see that no container of acetone hasn't spilled in the garage or somewhere.

Answer 3

Carbon monoxide is odorless, (that's what makes it dangerous).

What you describe sounds like burning plastic, or bio material.

If nothing electrical failed, look inside that computer for a cooked

insect. (Those processors do run hot enough to do this.)

Answer 4

it is orderless, that's what   makes it dangerous!!!!

If u smell a chemical u should leave the house and call fire dept not b on ur computer...

Answer 5

carbon monoxide doesnt give off a smell but i would definatly open all windows and doors

Answer 6

Hello Candy:

CO is odorless/colorless, what you may have smelled is O3 - ozone. Electrical equipment can produce this if a connection is conducting poorly. The effect will be the same as CO. Ventilate the area well with a fan and open window.

Check all of the plugs near your computer, lights and other electrical equipment in that area. Look for carbon soot and listen for a crackling noise. If it is a loose connection, you should be able to clean it up and make it work. If it is not easy to get to, you may have lose wiring inside the wall. If you are not comfortable checking this, hire a licensed electrician.  

Answer 7

Yes! Get out to fresh air fast !

Just kidding.It's the printed circuit boards inside your computer or possibly the battery and harmless.They just smell louder sometimes than other times but nothing that should last for long or that's harmful.

Answer 8

Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas so it probably isn't.