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Carbon Monoxide (CO) Gas Detectors

Carbon monoxide (CO) is used in chemical production, metals refining, food packaging, steel mills, loading docks, and electrical utilities. Workers near or within confined spaces where CO is a by-product are in particular danger of carbon monoxide exposure. These areas include manholes, splicing vehicles, garages, tunnels, loading docks, warehouses, vehicle repair shops, and more.

fire-department

Characteristics of Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide is a colorless gas invisible to human senses. 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, 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 with no permanent damage if the person evacuates to fresh air. High doses can be fatal.

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CARBON MONOXIDE - CO

Hazard:
Flammable
Will explode; LEL 12.5%
Classification:
Health
Extremely toxic
Synonyms:
Carbon oxide, flue gas, monoxide
Exposure limits:
(OSHA)
PEL\TWA: 50 ppm
(ACGIH)
STEL: 400 ppm/ 15 min.
(OSHA)
IDLH: 1500 ppm / 30 min.
Industries:
Steel mills, fire departments, garages, loading docks, electrical utilities, and general industries

Effects of Various CO Levels

CO Level in PPM
Resulting Conditions 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.
1,600
Headache, dizziness, and nausea in 20 minutes. Collapse and death in 1 hour.
3,200
Headache and dizziness in 5 to 10 minutes. Unconsciousness and danger of death in 30 minutes.
6,400
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.

How to Detect Carbon Monoxide

 Industrial Scientific provides single-gas carbon monoxide detectors, including the GasBadge® Pro and the Tango® TX1. Multi-gas detectors for carbon monoxide include the Tango® TX2, Ventis® Pro5, MX6 iBrid®, Ventis® MX4, and the Radius® BZ1 Area Monitor.

Multi-Gas Monitor

Ventis Pro5

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Multi-Gas Monitor

Ventis MX4

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Multi-Gas Monitor

MX6 iBrid

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Area Monitor

Radius BZ1

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SINGLE-GAS MONITOR

GasBadge Pro

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SINGLE-GAS MONITOR

Tango TX1

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TWO-GAS MONITOR

Tango TX2

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