Gas Infomation
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Carbon Dioxide is a colourless, odourless gas which is a natural component of the air we breathe, yet is toxic in higher concentrations. It is heavier than air.
Increased levels of Carbon Dioxide results in progressive physiological effects (see below) resulting in life threatening situations in high concentrations. It can also deplete the Oxygen content of air, resulting in a risk of asphyxiation. Carbon Dioxide in its dry form is commonly called ‘Dry Ice’
CAS No.
124-38-9
EH 40 Workplace Exposure Limit LEL
5,000 PPM
EH 40 Workplace Exposure Limit STEL
15,000 PPM
Relative Density
1.52
Physiological Effects:
Level
Effect
300-400 ppm
Normal level in air
600-800 ppm
Acceptable air quality
1000 ppm
Tolerable air quality
5000 - 30000 ppm
Drowsiness, headaches unless exposure is very short
3-8%
Increased respiration & heart rate
10% - 20%
Nausea, vomiting and unconsciousness - significantly depleted Oxygen levels
20% and above
Fast unconsciousness, death
Safety Gas Detection manufactures Carbon Dioxide detection systems which detect the presence of low levels of Carbon Dioxide, and give a Carbon Dioxide Alarm.
See also:
Wikipedia Carbon Dioxide: link
Wikipedia data page: link
Carbon Monoxide (CO) click here for gas detection information
Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas. Air should contain virtually no Carbon Monoxide, although it is produced naturally in some circumstances. It is toxic if inhaled and is flammable at certain levels. It is almost exactly the same density as air.
Increased levels of Carbon Monoxide results in progressive physiological effects outlined below, these eventually resulting in life threatening situations in even relatively low concentrations. Safety Gas Detection manufactures Carbon Monoxide detection systems which detect the presence of low levels of Carbon Monoxide, and give a Carbon Monoxide Alarm.
CAS No.
630-08-0
EH 40 Workplace Exposure Limit LEL
30
EH 40 Workplace Exposure Limit STEL
200
Relative Density
0.967
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL)
12.5%
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL)
74%
Physiological Effects:
Level
Effect
0 ppm
Normal level in air
9 ppm
Maximum acceptable air quality
400 ppm
Headaches result from short term exposure (1-2 hours) becoming life threatening after 3 hours
800 ppm
Initially results in headache, dizziness, nausea and convulsions after a few minutes, then unconsciousness within 2 hours, followed by death in 2 to 3 hours
1,500 ppm
Initial headache, dizziness, nausea within 20 minutes, death within 1 hour or soon after
3,000 ppm
Initial headache, dizziness, nausea within 10 minutes, death within 30 minutes or soon after
See also:
Wikipedia Carbon Monoxide: link
Wikipedia data page: link
Wikipedia poisoning info: link
Flammable Gas
Flammable gas is a term used to describe a gas that will burn in the normal concentrations of oxygen in the air. It can consist of a single gas or a combination of more than one gas and therefore no specific scientific data is applicable here.
Safety Gas Detection manufactures systems which detect specific flammable gases, such as Methane, and systems which use a general flammable gas sensing system. Such Flammable Gas Detection Systems detect the presence of the gas and provide a flammable gas alarm.
F-Gas systems & Refrigeration Gas click here for gas detection information
F-Gas is a term used to identify the European Union's F-gas Regulation No 842/2006 which came into force on 4 July 2006. Gases covered by the regulation include all HFC refrigerants, such as R407C, R410A, R404A, R134a which are often blended to form a refrigerant. The F-Gas Regulations place legal obligations on anyone producing, using, maintaining or installing products containing HFC-s to record maintenance, leaks and inspections.
Safety Gas Detection manufactures Refrigerant Gas Detection Systems which detect refrigerant gases, which can help companies to meet their recording and leak checking obligations under the F-Gas regulations. Our Refrigerant Gas Detection Systems also provide Refrigerant Gas Leak Alarms, and data logs measured levels.
Institute of Refrigeration Engineers info: click here.
Oxygen (O2) click here for gas detection information
Oxygen is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas, normally found in air at 20.95%. It can be toxic at elevated partial pressures, and enrichment results in increased flammability and risk of fire. Another common risk is from a lack of Oxygen content in breathing air resulting in the progressive physiological effects outlined below - eventually resulting in the risk of death.
CAS No.
7782-44-7
Relative Density
1.1
Physiological Effects:
Level
Effect
Above 20.95%
Increased flammability and accelerated combustion
18-20.95%
No discernable symptoms, action should be taken before levels fall still further
11-18%
Mental and physical performance and vision impaired - Individual will not be aware of this performance impairment, and judgement is affected.
8-11%
Fainting within a few minutes and risk of death follows
6-8%
Fainting virtually immediate, not able to move, brain damage and death follows
Below 6%
Loss of consciousness, breathing stops, cardiac arrest, death follows
Safety Gas Detection manufactures Oxygen Depletion and Enrichment Gas Detection systems which measure Oxygen levels and provide Oxygen Depletion alarms and Oxygen Enrichment alarms. These systems can be supplied to measure other gases simultaneously.
Wikipedia - Oxygen info
EIGA - Oxygen Deficiency info
EIGA - Asphyxiation info
EIGA - Campaign Against Asphyxiation info
EIGA - Hazards of Oxygen Enrichment info
All EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits from October 2007 document
This information is intended as a guide only and Safety Gas Detection Ltd. cannot accept any liability for loss or damages resulting from the use or interpretation of material contained on this website - for specific information please refer to scientific documents elsewhere.
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