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One of the most common concerns amongst our customers it the dangers of carbon monoxide and how much is too much.  This page contains some CO information and we hope you'll find it useful.

Carbon Monoxide Concentrations

(Table compiled by ACCA-KS Vice President Eric Kjelshus of Eric Kjelshus Energy) 

Concentration of CO

In Air

Effects, Inhalation Time and Toxic Symptom Development

 

 

1-4 ppm

Normal – from outdoor traffic, cooking stove.

 

 

Greater than

2 ppm

Raises questions about CO and why it is elevated.  Source should be identified.  Might be normal allowable.

 

 

9 ppm

The maximum allowable concentration for eight hours at any time(Environmental Protection Agency).  Typical concentration after cooking meat in unvented gas kitchen range.

 

 

15-20 ppm

Impaired performance in time (blood level CO 2.0).  Decrease in absolute exercise time (Blood level CO 2.5).  Shortened time to angina response (Blood level CO 2.9).  Vigilance decreases (Blood level CO 3.0). (World Health Organization)

 

 

21 ppm

Typical concentration of CO in all furnace clean and checks this fall.

 

 

25 ppm

International Mechanical Code maximum in parking spaces.

 

 

27 ppm

21% increase in cadiorespiratory complaints.(Kurt 1978)

 

 

30 ppm

Earlier onset of exercise-induced angina (Blood level CO 4.76%).(World Health Organization)

 

 

35 ppm

Maximum in parking garage.(National Mecanical Code ’99)  Maximum allowable outdoors for one hour. (EPA)  Some CO detectors might give a low-level alarm after several hours exposure.

 

 

50 ppm

Maximum allowable for eight hours in workplace.(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)  Most fire departments require use of self-contained breathing apparatus for CO exposures above 50 ppm.

 

 

75 ppm

Significant decrease in oxygen reserve available to the myocardium (Blood level CO 10%).  Heavy smokers can reach Blood level CO of 10%.(World Health Organization)

 

 

80 ppm

Many residential detectors might alarm after several hours.

 

 

100 ppm

UL listed detectors must sound off at full alarm within 90 minutes or less.  Most alarm more quickly.  Time to alarm changes with type of CO components.  Maximum allowed from kitchen range by Kansas City, MO, weatherization program.  Typical concentrations that furnaces will run untuned up.

 

 

200 ppm

Maximum recommended in workplace.(National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health)  UL listed detectors must sound a full alarm within 35 minutes.  Slight headache, tiredness, dizziness and nausea after two to three hours.  Will be life-threatening in long exposures.(Bacharach)

 

Top Ten Carbon Monoxide Facts for Consumers

  1. Carbon Monoxide Alarms are designed to prevent death, but not necessarily illness or permanent disabilities.
  2. Carbon Monoxide poisoning is miss-diagnosed over 90% of the time because it mimics other illnesses, especially flu symptoms.  A simple and painless breath test could determine exposure.
  3. All appliances, new and old, need to be checked for carbon monoxide if they have not been checked previously.
  4. Chimneys must be checked in the Spring and Fall; birds build nests in the spring; nests or deteriorating chimneys indicate improper equipment operation.
  5. Gas and electric ovens produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide during self-cleaning operation.  Proper ventilation is necessary and NEVER use gas ovens for heating.
  6. Cracked heat exchangers are defects, but rarely are the main cause of CO poisoning.  A carbon monoxide test should always be taken to insure safety.
  7. Rust and soot that is produced by equipment is not normal and indicates an unsafe condition.
  8. Never operate vehicles in the garage, even for a few minutes.  Do not operate vehicles outside the garage with the door open.  Do not back vehicle into the garage.  Fumes can infiltrate your home for hours.
  9. Ask your contractor if they perform CO testing as part of their normal business.  If not, you may want to find someone else.  Ask if they are certified in carbon monoxide testing.
  10. Fire Departments and utilities do not usually perform thorough CO investigations.  There is no such thing as a false alarm or CO levels too low to be concerned with.  Always get a second or third diagnosis, not opinion.