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Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, which makes it extremely dangerous because people may inhale it unknowingly. Once inside the body, CO has an affinity for hemoglobin about 300 times greater than oxygen. This means hemoglobin prefers to bind with carbon monoxide rather than oxygen.

When CO binds with hemoglobin, it forms a very stable compound called carboxyhemoglobin. This reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood drastically. As a result, even if oxygen is available in the lungs, it cannot be transported efficiently to body tissues and vital organs.
This condition leads to oxygen deprivation (hypoxia), which can cause:
Headache, dizziness, weakness (initial symptoms)
Loss of consciousness, confusion
Severe poisoning can lead to brain damage, coma, or death.

Why is this concept important for students?
This is a classic example of how gases interact with hemoglobin, a key NEET topic.
It also highlights the importance of environmental awareness — CO poisoning is a common hazard from incomplete combustion in vehicles, fireplaces, or poorly ventilated rooms.

Hence, the reason carbon monoxide is poisonous is because it prevents oxygen transport by binding strongly with hemoglobin, making the blood unable to deliver oxygen to tissues