Will burning charcoal in a room cause poisoning?

Dec 03, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
If a room's doors and windows are tightly closed or ventilation is poor, burning charcoal can produce carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that is difficult to detect. This gas can easily accumulate indoors in large amounts. When inhaled, it may cause poisoning, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, it can be life-threatening. Therefore, burning charcoal indoors is absolutely not recommended.

Generally, the risk of carbon poisoning from burning charcoal is low if the room is well-ventilated, but poor ventilation greatly increases the risk of poisoning. If in doubt, it's advisable to assess environmental safety beforehand. Specific analysis is as follows:

If doors and windows are fully open and air circulates freely, gases produced by burning charcoal can be promptly expelled outdoors and will not accumulate indoors, resulting in a lower risk of poisoning. However, you should still pay attention to fire safety, avoid potential fires, and limit the duration of charcoal burning—avoid staying for extended periods in areas with burning charcoal.

If doors and windows are tightly closed or ventilation is poor, carbon monoxide will be generated during charcoal burning. This gas is colorless, odorless, and difficult to detect, making it likely to accumulate indoors. Inhaling it can lead to poisoning, causing symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, it may endanger life. Therefore, burning charcoal indoors under such conditions is absolutely not recommended.

Before burning charcoal indoors, ensure adequate ventilation; outdoor settings or specially designed ventilated areas are strongly preferred. Always have someone present during use, and immediately move to a place with fresh air if discomfort occurs. Seek medical help if necessary.