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Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Toxic Gases and Vapors

  • Produced as a by product of incomplete combustion
  • Associated with internal combustion engine exhaust
    • Vehicles
    • Pumps
    • Compressors

Carbon Monoxide

  • Bonds to hemoglobin in red blood cells
  • Contaminated cells can't transport O2
  • Chronic exposure at even low levels harmful
Carbon Monoxide

Characteristics of Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide
  • Colorless
  • Odorless
  • About the same weight as air
  • Flammable ( LEL is 12.5 %)
  • Toxic!

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Exposure

  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea and other "Flu-like" symptoms
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Brain damage
  • Coma
  • Death
Carbon Monoxide

Toxic Effects CO

Toxic Effects CO
  • Concentration of only 1,600 ppm fatal within hours
  • Even lower level exposures can result in death if there are underlying medical conditions, or when there are additional factors (such as heat stress)

Exposure Limits for Carbon Monoxide

8-Hr TWASTELCeiling
Federal USA OSHA PEL 50 ppmNANA
NIOSH REL 35 ppmNA200 ppm
TLV 25 ppmNANA
UK OEL 30 ppm200 ppmNA
French VL 50 ppmNANA
DFG MAK 30 ppm60 ppm peak for any 15-min period, (as average value), maximum 4 per shift separated by at least 1-hour