Carbon Dioxide Detector
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a natural gas which is harmless in small quantities. It is made up of 1 part carbon and two parts oxygen. It is one of the essential gases because plants use it to produce carbohydrates in photosynthesis. And because we as humans and also animals depend on plants for food, photosynthesis is necessary for life on earth.
Many of the ventilation systems that we use today recycle air to conserve energy, essentially moving the contaminated air around rather than cycling in new air. This results in high CO2 concentrations and poor indoor air quality.
High levels of CO2 are correlated to low productivity and high sickness rates making this a serious concern in an office-based environment, in schools and in the home. CO2 is toxic. However, the nature of the threat it poses is not always fully understood. Many regulatory bodies set exposure limits above which employees must not be exposed.
CO2 is heavier than air, and if there is a leak and it escapes, it will sink to the floor and can form deadly invisible pockets. It collects in cellars and at the bottom of containers and confined spaces, such as tanks and silos.
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Is Carbon Dioxide Hazardous?
CO2 can be extremely hazardous and can kill in two ways:
1. By displacing oxygen leading to rapid asphyxiation.
2. As a toxin, exposure to as little as 0.05% by volume CO2 represents a toxic health hazard. 2% cause headaches, while 5% can cause major breathing problems. A greater than 10% concentration can lead to death.
CO2 is completely odourless and colourless. Unless gas detection systems are used, there may be no indication of danger until it is too late. Just 5 minutes of exposure to 7% CO2 can cause death.
There is a misconception that you are protecting against CO2 by monitoring oxygen levels. However, this isn’t the case; this will only help protect against asphyxiation. Reliance on monitoring oxygen levels could lead to fatalities due to gas displacement.
If you would like to protect your business from the dangers of carbon dioxide, use the link below to view our products.
