Which statement about the dangers of products of combustion is accurate?

• A. Carbon dioxide produced during combustion is harmless and poses no environmental risks.
• B. All products of combustion are beneficial and safe for the environment.
• C. Carbon monoxide produced during incomplete combustion is highly toxic to humans.
• D. Water vapor produced during combustion is the primary cause of respiratory problems.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that combustion is a chemical reaction where a fuel reacts with oxygen, producing various products such as carbon dioxide (CO\_2), carbon monoxide (CO), water vapor (H\_2O), and sometimes other compounds depending on the completeness of combustion.
2. Recognize that carbon dioxide (CO\_2) is a common product of complete combustion and, while not directly toxic at typical environmental levels, it is a greenhouse gas contributing to climate change, so it is not entirely harmless.
3. Know that carbon monoxide (CO) is produced during incomplete combustion when there is insufficient oxygen. CO is a colorless, odorless gas that binds strongly to hemoglobin in the blood, preventing oxygen transport, making it highly toxic to humans.
4. Understand that water vapor (H\_2O) is also a product of combustion but is generally not a direct cause of respiratory problems; respiratory issues are more commonly linked to other pollutants like particulate matter or toxic gases.
5. Evaluate each statement based on these facts and identify that the accurate statement is the one about carbon monoxide being highly toxic due to incomplete combustion.