Carbon monoxide poisons tissue by combining with haemoglobin. Carbon monoxide has a greater affinity for haemoglobin than oxygen does, meaning it can bind with haemoglobin molecules in the blood more easily. This reduces the amount of haemoglobin available to carry oxygen to the body's tissues. As a result, the body's tissues are deprived of oxygen, which can lead to tissue damage or death. This is why carbon monoxide is sometimes referred to as the "silent killer" – it is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, making it difficult to detect without special equipment.