A system, apparatus, and method using carbon monoxide for treatment of platelets, and optionally other blood components and/or whole blood, allowing extended storage and increased viability of the stored blood platelets in vivo. The system allows an efficient use of the stored platelets by dividing the platelets into a population with a short residual lifetime for immediate use and a population that can remain in storage for longer. The storage apparatus enables safe platelet preservation and is equipped with an alarm to detect CO leakage.
