Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced, among other things, by the incomplete combustion of substances containing carbon.The colourless, odourless and tasteless gas is a strong respiratory poison that quickly reaches dangerous concentrations in unventilated rooms.
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Carbon monoxide (CO) is a simple inorganic compound between carbon and oxygen. It is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas. It burns with oxygen in a blue, transparent flame to form carbon dioxide. The gas is a dangerous respiratory poison. If it enters the bloodstream through smoking tobacco, for example, carbon monoxide binds to the haemoglobin in the blood about 210 times more strongly than oxygen. This can permanently disrupt oxygen transport and cause fatal carbon monoxide poisoning. Even a saturation of 1.28% carbon monoxide in the room air leads to death within one to two minutes. Carbon monoxide is somewhat lighter than air and tends to rise, but can be found everywhere in the room due to air turbulence.
In industry, pure carbon monoxide is used to produce formic acid and sodium formate. It is also used to convert chlorine into phosgene and methanol into acetic acid. It also acts as a reducing agent for iron ores.
The normal concentration of CO in the air is approx. 0.6 to 6 mg/m³. In unventilated rooms with gas burners, fireplaces or through cigarette smoke, 30 mg/m³ are easily reached.
According to the Federal Environment Agency, the highest 8-hour average value must not exceed around 10 mg/m³. The maximum workplace concentration (MAK value) of carbon monoxide is given as 35 mg/m³. The WHO recommends values above 25 mg/m³ for a maximum of one hour, values up to 85 mg/m³ for a maximum of 15 minutes. The values do not apply to pregnant women or people with pre-existing conditions.
A continuous exposure of eight hours at a CO concentration of less than 60 mg/m³ is hardly dangerous for healthy adults. However, sick and previously exposed persons can experience limitations even at low levels. Hearing loss can be increased by up to 50 % due to carbon monoxide.
Even at a relatively low exposure to carbon monoxide between 80 and 120 mg/m³ over a few hours, the first physical impairments can be observed. These include cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, headache, shortness of breath and sore eyes.
If the CO concentration rises to values between 170 and 350 mg/m³, fatigue, dizziness and nausea occur after two to three hours. A value of 460 mg/m³ or more is considered extreme exposure, which is immediately life-threatening. There is a risk of unconsciousness and permanent brain damage. After three hours at the latest, such a concentration can lead to death. At even higher levels, death can occur earlier. After carbon monoxide poisoning, it is not enough just to breathe in fresh air. To compensate for the lack of oxygen in the blood. Compensating for the lack of oxygen in the blood and regenerating the body can only be achieved by supplying a disproportionate amount of oxygen.
Indoors, the carbon monoxide content of the air generally comes in through ventilation - the main source in residential areas is road traffic. This can result in concentrations of over 5 mg/m³, depending on the location's proximity to traffic. However, leaking or improperly functioning fireplaces and stoves, gas stoves and radiant heaters powered by propane gas also emit CO and increase the concentration. Burning wood, wood pellets or charcoal also leads to increased carbon monoxide levels. If the ventilation in the room does not function correctly, this can lead to CO poisoning. More on this in the linked blog post.
Carbon monoxide is measured by means of an electrochemical sensor. CO molecules that "dock" on the surface of the sensor cause a small current in the sensor. The advantage of our sensor is the individual sensitivity calibration by the manufacturer and the particularly long service life. Disadvantage of electrochemical CO sensors are slight cross-sensitivities.
The sensor we use has a slight cross-sensitivity to hydrogen (H2). Accordingly, it reacts somewhat to this gas and then shows a deflection even if no CO is present.
The air-Q air quality meter and carbon monoxide detector is a particularly powerful and comprehensive air analyser also via a sensor that can measure carbon monoxide in the room air. Many facts about the technology of the air-Q can be found here. You can order the air-Q in the online shop.
