CO poisoning... Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a fatal condition! Carbon monoxide is released from incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons (due to insufficient oxygen). Carbon monoxide poisoning shifts the oxygen dissociation curve to the left. It has high affinity for hemoglobin...It’s also a mitochondrial toxin (inhibits complex IV of the electron transport chain). Symptoms include headache, dizziness, muscle aches, flu-like symptom. Treatment is by 100% oxygen or hyperbaric oxygen chamber.