steel
mills,
fire
departments,
garages,
loading
docks,
electrical
utilities,
and
general
industries
Carbon
monoxide
is a
colorless
gas.
To
the
human
senses
it
is
invisible.
Carbon
monoxide
is a
byproduct
of
combustion
and
will
appear
naturally
in
any
situation
where
burning
has
taken
place.
Carbon
monoxide
is a
highly
toxic
gas
which
is
termed
a
toxic
asphyxiant,
meaning
it
reduces
the
oxygen
transport
properties
of
the
blood.
It
reacts
with
the
hemoglobin
in
the
blood
forming
carboxyhemoglobin
which
prevents
the
hemoglobin
from
transferring
oxygen.
Low ppm
doses of
carbon
monoxide can
cause
headaches
and
dizziness.
If the
victim is
removed to
fresh air no
permanent
damages will
result. High
doses can be
fatal.
Effects
of Various
CO Levels
CO
Levels
in
PPM
Resulting
Conditions/Effects
on
humans
50
Permissible
Exposure
Level
for
8
hours
(OSHA)
200
Possible
mild
frontal
headache
in 2
to 3
hours.
400
Frontal
headache
and
nausea
after
1 to
2
hours.
Occipital
after
2-1/2
to
3-1/2
hours.
800
Headache,
dizziness,
and
nausea
in
45
minutes.
Collapse
and
possible
death
in 2
hours
1600
Headache,
dizziness,
and
nausea
in
20
minutes.
Collapse
and
death
in 1
hour.
3200
Headache
and
dizziness
in 5
to
10
minutes.
Unconsciousness
and
danger
of
death
in
30
minutes.
6400
Headache
and
dizziness
in 1
to 2
minutes.
Unconsciousness
and
danger
of
death
in
10
to
15
minutes.
12,800
Immediate
effects-unconsciousness.
Danger
of
death
in 1
to 3
minutes.
hazardous gases
