Carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) are often mistaken for one another. Both gases are odourless and colorless and target the cardiovascular system. Both gases can enter the body through inhalation, skin and / or eye. Similar symptoms that both gases have in common are headaches, dizziness, seizures, and hallucination.

Most people have a hard time determining the difference and do not realize that vehicle exhaust emits both CO and CO₂. In an indoor environment, this build-up of gas can be hazardous to the health and safety of the individual exposed to it.

CO has been referred to as the “Silent Killer” (The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide). Once CO is inhaled, oxygen levels are displaced in the blood causing vital organs to starve. Therefore, causing people to suffocate and lose consciousness.

CO₂, on the other hand, is referred to as “hypercarbia or hypercapnia” (Carbon Dioxide Poisoning). Since our blood expels CO₂, inhaling more CO₂ would cause the inability for the body to expel the gas.

Additional differences in CO and CO₂ are addressed in the table below:

NOTE: Sources for the table above are referenced from Buzzle.com, CO2Meter.com and NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.

Since it is extremely difficult to detect CO and CO₂ gases based on the symptoms alone, installing a gas detector is suggested. There are a large range of detectors available on the market; therefore, choosing the right one that suites your need is ideal. Choose a gas detector from a manufacturer that is reputable and has their products tested by certain standards such as the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), etc.

For suggestions on a fixed gas detection system, please visit www.critical-environment.com.

Written by: Ambur Vilac & Teresa Kouch

———————————————————————————————————————————————

References

Bose, Debopriya. “Carbon Dioxide Poisoning.” Buzzle.com. 26 December 2011. Web. 31 May 2012. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/carbon-dioxide-poisoning.html>.

Bose, Debopriya. “Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment.” Buzzle.com. 2011. Web. 31 May 2012. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/carbon-monoxide-poisoning-causes-symptoms-and-treatment.html>.

“CO and CO2 – What’s the difference?” CO2Meter.com. 27 August 2009. Web. 31 May 2012. <http://www.co2meter.com/blogs/news/1209952-co-and-co2-what-s-the-difference>.

“Dangers of CO2: What You Need to Know.” CO2Meter.com. 25 October 2011. Web. 31 May 2012. <http://www.co2meter.com/blogs/news/4418142-dangers-of-co2-what-you-need-to-know>.

“The Danger of Carbon Monoxide.” Silent Shadow: Silent Killer. 2004. Web. 31 May 2012. <http://www.silentshadow.org/>.

“Exposure to CO2 Leads to Fear of Suffocation.” CO2Meter.com. 12 January 2010. Web. 31 May 2012. <http://www.co2meter.com/blogs/news/1417162-exposure-to-co2-leads-to-fear-of-suffocation>.

“NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 04 April 2011. Web. 01 June 2012. <http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/default.html>.

Bedbug infestation is an extremely common problem worldwide.

Bedbugs are small, nocturnal parasites that feed off of warm blooded animals and humans. They can survive in a wide range of temperature, low humidity and live for a year without eating. Adults can measure up to 5 mm in length and up to 3 mm wide. They are attracted to carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in human respiration and body warmth. Bedbugs can cause health issues such as skin rashes, allergies, and psychological effects.

Bedbugs can be detected with CO₂ gas or a bucket of dry ice to lure the bedbugs to come out of hiding. Usually they are hard to find but infestation can be determined after being bitten or by finding fecal matter, molts and blood smears on the linens. Usually, bedbug bites do not appear right away but takes a week before red welts show up. The most common style of bedbug bites come in a line of three, also known as “breakfast, lunch and dinner” (Bed Bug Bites Symptoms).

Earlier we stated that bedbugs are attracted to CO₂; however, high concentrations of CO₂ will kill them. If bedbugs are discovered, get an exterminator that uses cryonite to spray down the surface and cracks. Cryonite is a compressed CO₂ snow that is non-toxic but kills many pests by freezing them. When CO₂ snow hits the surface at normal temperature, it evaporates and turns into CO₂ gas. CO₂ is poisonous to humans at high concentrations; therefore, if a fixed CO₂ detector is not installed, using a handheld CO₂ monitor while using cryonite is a good idea.

Based on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, common symptoms of CO₂ exposure include dizziness, headache, poor sleep, lassitude, anxiety, ocular changes, coronary heart disease, gastritis, kidney and liver damage, eye and skin burns, and dermatitis. These symptoms will occur only if the NIOSH standard’s recommended exposure limit (REL) and / or Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) standard’s permissible exposure limit (PEL) exceed 5,000 ppm.

For suggestions on fixed or portable gas detectors, please visit www.critical-environment.com.

Written by: Ambur Vilac & Teresa Kouch

————————————————————————————————–

References:

“CO2 Finds, Kills Bedbugs.” www.co2meter.com. 08 September 2010. Web. 05 March 2012. <http://www.co2meter.com/blogs/news/1958042-co2-finds-kills-bedbugs>.

“Bed bug.” Wikipedia. 24 February 2012. Web. 06 March 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed_bug>.

“Bed Bug Bite Symptoms.” What Do Bed Bugs Look Like. 11 November 2011. Web. 05 March 2012. <http://www.whatdobedbugslooklike.net>.

“Bed bug infestation.” Wikipedia. 20 February 2012. Web. 05 March 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed_bug_infestation>.

Carbon dioxide, also known as CO₂, is a very well known gas type but not everyone knows how deadly it is. Most people know it as a gas that humans exhale but commercially, it is manufactured and shipped as a liquefied compressed gas or is used as dry ice in its solid form.

A common use of CO₂ gas is in soda fountain machines to carbonate soft drinks by pressurizing the CO₂ gas into the liquid syrup. Without the carbonation or fizziness, it is no different than flavored syrup. Worldwide, fountain soft drinks are served in restaurants, sports arenas, fast food chains, cafeterias, public events, etc. Accidental incidences of CO₂ leak from the compressed cylinders storing CO₂ gas are common but preventable.

Some examples of accidental cases that have been reported by the media include, but not limited to:

• The Mi Ranchito restaurant in Lenexa, Kansas in August 2009 had caused two dozen people to be come ill due to back flow problems with the soda machine. The carbonated water was coming into contact with copper lines, poisoning customers.
• A McDonald’s restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona in June 2011 had to evacuate everyone in the restaurant because of a leaking soda machine in the building’s basement. A pregnant employee ended up collapsing due to the fumes. Other staff members experienced lightheadedness and dizziness. Fortunately, no one was seriously ill and was able to get immediate medical attention.
• A fast food restaurant in Yorkshire in the United Kingdom in June 2011 had to evacuate everyone due to a leaky CO₂ cylinder. Emergency service people had to wear breathing apparatuses in order to enter the restaurant to disconnect the cylinder. No one was injured in this case.
• A McDonald’s restaurant in Savannah, Georgia in September 2011 had sickened ten people, including the death of a woman found unconscious in a restroom. This was due to a leaky gas line between the walls caused the gas to build up a week ago.

All restaurants mentioned had their licenses suspended but after fixing the problem, were allowed to re-open again. No criminal charges were given to any of the restaurants as it’s considered an accident. By definition from dictionary.com, an accident is “an undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm, injury, damage, or loss.” It’s true that the situation is “undesirable” and “unfortunate” but can be prevented if proper measures were taken by the owners.

In order to prevent accidents like this from happening in the future, employers and staff members need to know the risks associated from working with CO₂ gas, be able to identify early symptoms, and be protected by a fixed gas monitoring system.

Based on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, common symptoms of CO₂ exposure include dizziness, headache, poor sleep, lassitude, anxiety, ocular changes, coronary heart disease, gastritis, kidney and liver damage, eye and skin burns, and dermatitis. These symptoms will occur only if the NIOSH standard’s recommended exposure limit (REL) and / or Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) standard’s permissible exposure limit (PEL) exceed 5,000 ppm.

CO₂ is an odorless and colorless gas; therefore, humans will not be able to detect it. In order to detect and determine the level of CO₂, a gas detection system needs to be installed. Fixed gas detection systems should be installed in rooms where the CO₂ gas is being installed and where the soda machine is situated. Since CO₂ gas is heavier than air, it is recommended that the fixed gas detectors should be installed at breathing zone which is 4 to 6 feet above the floor. Portable gas detectors are great for those delivering the gas cylinders from different venues in case there’s no fixed gas detection system in place. Installing a gas detection system can ensure staff members and customers are safe and risks are lowered.

For suggestions on fixed or portable gas detectors, please visit www.critical-environment.com.