Carbon Monoxide (CO) – Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – know the difference
Please note the CO2 linked reports posted in today’s posting. For the hundreds of new Carbon Monoxide News viewers who attended my classes last week in greater Kansas City, you may note the below 1000 PPM of carbon dioxide they reference in these stories and how much higher than that we were in the classrooms we utilized. I showed you the CO2 test instrument and we monitored the levels. And we took more breaks. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety
Many people often mistakenly say or reference carbon dioxide with its symbol (CO2) when they actually mean to say or reference the actual carbon monoxide symbol, CO. This is perhaps a slip of the tongue and it often shows up confusedly in newspaper reports. (We do not change any of the link reference errors that may be broadcast.) New instructors to carbon monoxide safety, get used to this occurrence.
CO2 is naturally produced in the human body and is our waste gas. Combustion systems, particularly unvented gas cooking and heating systems are notorious for adding additional concentrations of carbon dioxide to the ambient air inside buildings; the tighter the house or building, the greater the build-up of this seemingly harmless gas. However, too high of levels can make you drowsy and feeling weak. This is why you must be sure you know that when you use unvented fireplaces or heaters that carbon dioxide(CO2) levels should be monitored so you can determine how much extra combustion gas you want to breathe in, especially if you are of vulnerable health. Breathing combustion gasses is not good for many.
Building tightness standards use modeling and math to determine air exchange. It would be more specific and exact if the measurement of CO2 was utilized as a controlling factor. Though worldwide outside levels have increased over 50 PPM the past 25 years, they are a fresh air breathable level of around 393 PPM. Current Data for Atmospheric CO2
Carbon monoxide (CO) levels in outside air are most safe and commonly found to be 0 PPM of CO, unless clustered humanity, industry or nature generates more. If you have more CO inside than outside, test for the source.
Less than twice the outside levels of CO2 inside are considered a good indication of non-stagnating air or healthy ventilation. Before you get to 3 times more CO2 than outside, effects may begin to be experienced by those inside.
Breathing indoor CO2 levels above 1000 PPM for periods of time may not be good for business, learning, or good health. When levels are nearing 2000 or even 3000 PPM of CO2 as they were this past week for me as an instructor providing four, 4 hour CO Safety programs to over 70 students each in 3 different locations, one gets a little more worn out trying to keep everyone awake with your lecture. But because I measure in the classroom, the attendees & students can learn more about it, instantly as it occurs.
While you are diligently measuring CO inside every building you enter, try measuring CO2. I have also been measuring CO2 everywhere the past 20 years and encourage the practice by those who want to learn more about combustion gas atmospheres. Measurement is education. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety
CO News links
Man claims CO poisoning
Park Record
Park City resident James Stanfill, 47, said he succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning at the condominium he'd been staying in for the last seven months. His wife, Annette, and son allegedly found him Friday, Oct. 12, unconscious in his condominium ..."They treated me and did blood tests, and apparently I had over six times the normal carbon monoxide level in my blood," James said.
Warning after Liverpool chef, 28, killed by faulty gas boiler
Liverpool Echo
A MERSEYSIDE chef working in Germany was killed by a faulty boiler, an inquest heard... Mr. Rebello said the tragedy was a stark warning to people ahead of winter and he had circulated information from charities warning of the dangers of carbon monoxide among all coroners. He added: “This is not a tragedy which is confined to Germany. It could happen anywhere, carbon monoxide is colourless and cannot be detected by human senses.”
Indoor build-up of carbon dioxide (CO2)
Elevated carbon dioxide may impair reasoning
Science News
Carbon dioxide has been vilified for decades as a driver of global warming. A new study finds signs that CO2, exhaled in every breath, can exert an equally worrisome threat — impaired cognition — in nearly every energy-efficient classroom, meeting ...
And again..office build-up of carbon dioxide (CO2)
The real reason you can't stop nodding off mid-afternoon: Your OFFICE is ...
Daily Mail
They found that carbon dioxide concentrations in office buildings normally don't exceed 1,000 ppm, except in meeting rooms, when groups of people gather for extended periods of time. (Which may partly explain why it's so hard to stay awake in meetings ...While these levels weren’t found to be dangerous to health, they did significantly impair people’s ability to think or make decisions.
Following story, note: The loop in the graphic ends with a fuel to burn that still generates CO2; one of the facts of combustion(not noted in text).It does demonstrate a challenge to the dominance of coal, oil & natural gas, since it does not need to be mined or drilled for. But we will still be burning fuel in the same systems we burn fuel in today. BD
Running on fresh air: British firm makes petrol out of carbon dioxide and ...
Mirror.co.uk
The breakthrough by British company Air Fuel Synthesis was yesterday hailed as the “Holy Grail” of green energy, as the process of making the fuel also removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to reduce global warming. It could help solve ...
United Kingdom
National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week to launch in November
H&V News
Carbon Monoxide Awareness, a registered charity run entirely by volunteers, will be hosting the seventh National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week. The charity actively supports the victims of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and also raises awareness of ...
Aviators – note:
(PDF) Federal Aviation Administration warning; Carbon Monoxide: a Deadly Menace
· Heart Rescue Now This link takes you to a very short video that is a practical demonstration on the proper usage of an AED. This video is tastefully done & demonstrates the step-by-step way one might be able to save a life.
· Please take CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY CARE during all holiday and everyday activities.
· Carbon Monoxide Survivor
A website made by poisoning survivors that brings a view that can only come from those that know what it is like to have been poisoned - as well as live with the long term impact.
· Consider low level protection for carbon monoxide and smoldering fire detection problems; don't leave anyone behind.
National Conference of State Legislatures
Carbon Monoxide Detectors State Statutes
Twenty-five U.S. states have statutes that require carbon monoxide detectors in certain residential buildings. Updated Nov. 2011
Alaska | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts| Michigan | Minnesota | Montana | New Jersey | New Hampshire | New York | North Carolina | Oregon | Rhode Island | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin | West Virginia
Google Maps to reference the locations referenced in these Internet headlines.
The following companies are acknowledged for their continued support of carbon monoxide safety education and this daily news blog. They may just have what you are looking for.
Fieldpiece Instruments
The Energy Conservatory
IntelliTec Colleges
CO Experts
Masimo (See the non-invasive RAD-57)
Mahugh Fire & Safety
ESCO Institute
TPI - Test Products International
