Carbon Dioxide: Dangers & Management

According to Wikipedia, Carbon Dioxide is described as:

Carbon dioxide (chemical formula CO2) is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. It is a gas at standard temperature and pressure and exists in Earth’s atmosphere in this state, as a trace gas at a concentration of 0.039% by volume.

This important greenhouse gas has been under scrutiny as the scientific and environmental communities explore the impact of rising CO2 in the atmosphere and in the oceans.

The study of carbon dioxide’s impact on the world around us is an important issue. Unquestionably, we need to understand the effects of COproduction on our bodies, its effects on our bodies, and what we can do to keep a healthy balance.

Understanding the Effects of CO2

In any case, CO2 is not in and of itself a pollutant. In fact, we add to beverages to carbonate them. Similarly, we purposely introduce carbon dioxide to our bread by adding baking soda to make it rise.

We emit CO2 each and every time we exhale. This is because CO2 comes from organisms that break down sugars, fats, and amino acids as part of their metabolism. These organisms include plants, animals, fungi, and even bacteria.

During photosynthesis, plants can convert CO2 into oxygen, releasing it back into the atmosphere. In fact, plants can thrive in high levels of CO2. Unfortunately for humans, we do not thrive in elevated levels of CO2 as it is an asphyxiant gas.

When Does CO2 Become Dangerous?

CO2 becomes dangerous to people and animals when it begins to displace oxygen. CO2 is an asphyxiant, nontoxic gas that reduces or displaces the oxygen concentration in the air we breathe. When carbon dioxide replaces the oxygen in our blood flow, it is called Hypercapnia (or Hypercapnea).

Often, the onset of hypercapnia alerts our bodies to seek oxygen. For example, by turning our heads while asleep. Unquestionably, a failure of this reflex can be fatal, commonly seen in cases of SIDS-related infant deaths.

Normal carbon dioxide levels in the air we breathe vary from about 0.036% to 0.039%. Concentrations of up to 1% of carbon dioxide will make people feel drowsy. Lastly, higher concentrations of CO2 in the 7% to 10% range can cause unconsciousness within a few minutes to an hour.

Symptoms of hypercapnia include the following:

  • flushed skin
  • elevated pulse
  • muscle twitches
  • hand flaps
  • reduced neural activity
  • raised blood pressure followed by headache, confusion, and lethargy.

Extreme cases of hypercapnia include disorientation, panic, hyperventilation, convulsions, unconsciousness, and eventually death.

When working with the potential of high levels of carbon dioxide, such as in the food industry, beer/wine making industries, and oil industry it is very important to monitor levels and regulate exposure to ensure worker health. To demonstrate, in the United States, OSHA allows 5,000ppm in an 8-hour weighted average to maintain worker safety.

What Can You do to Maintain Carbon Dioxide Levels in Your Facility?

Production Automation offers CO2 air quality monitors from Extech,  with the ability to detect ranges from 0 to 9,999ppm. Also, Extech carbon dioxide meters have the option to datalog up to 5,333 points.

Other Extech CO2 air quality monitor benefits:

  • Check for carbon dioxide concentrations with max/min value recall functions
  • Maintenance-free NDIR (non-dispersive infrared) CO2 sensor
  • Indoor air quality displayed in ppm with GOOD (380 to 420 ppm), NORMAL (<1000ppm), and POOR (>1000ppm) indication
  • Visible and audible carbon dioxide warning with relay output for ventilation control
  • Displays year, month, date, and time
  • Lastly, automatic baseline calibration (minimum COlevel over 7.5 days) or manual calibration in fresh air

Measurement Ranges:

  • CO2: 0 to 9,999ppm
  • Temperature: 14 to 140°F (-10 to 60°C)
  • Humidity: 0.1 to 99.99% RH

View Extech Carbon Dioxide Monitors at Production Automation

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Mel Meadows

Mel Meadows

Mel Meadows is a product specialist with over 14 years of experience. She’s a central source of expertise for thousands of industrial and critical-class products featured on the Production Automation web store. By working directly with manufacturers, Mel deciphers technical documentation and outlines product use in real-world environments. View her profile to learn more about proper techniques, protocol, and product usage in both industrial and cleanroom facilities.

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