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Carbon Monoxide Levels and Safety Guide

This document outlines carbon monoxide (CO) levels and associated risks and actions. It lists various CO levels, from normal levels in human tissues of 1-4 ppm to levels over 3000 ppm which can cause death in under 30 minutes. For each level, it provides information on related health impacts found in studies as well as safety standards and guidelines from organizations like OSHA, EPA, WHO and more. The table serves as a reference for acceptable CO levels and thresholds for action in various contexts like workplaces, homes, and vehicles.

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Anuj Gautam
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56 views1 page

Carbon Monoxide Levels and Safety Guide

This document outlines carbon monoxide (CO) levels and associated risks and actions. It lists various CO levels, from normal levels in human tissues of 1-4 ppm to levels over 3000 ppm which can cause death in under 30 minutes. For each level, it provides information on related health impacts found in studies as well as safety standards and guidelines from organizations like OSHA, EPA, WHO and more. The table serves as a reference for acceptable CO levels and thresholds for action in various contexts like workplaces, homes, and vehicles.

Uploaded by

Anuj Gautam
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Carbon Monoxide Levels & Risks

CO Level

Action

CO Level

1-4ppm

Normal levels in human tissues produced by


body.

3-7ppm

6% increase in the rate of admission in


hospitals of non-elderly for asthma.
(Sheppard-1999)

5-6ppm

Significant risk of low birth rate if exposed


during last trimester (Ritz & Yu-1999)

5ppm

1st visual display on NSI 3000 Low Level


CO Monitor

9ppm



ASHRAE standard for allowable spillage from


vented appliances, indoors, for 8 hours

exposure daily. EPA standard for outdoors for
8 hours and a maximum 3 times per year.
(Clean Air Act)

10ppm





Outdoor level of CO found associated with a


significant increase in heart disease deaths and
hospital admissions for congestive heart failure.
(JAMA, Penny)
lst ambient level occupants should be
notified-NCI Protocol

15-20ppm First level World Health Organization lists



as causing impaired performance,

decrease in exercise time and vigilance


1st Alarm level for NSI 3000 Low Level

CO Monitor-5 minutes

50ppm


US OSHA recommended 8 hour maximum


workplace exposure

70ppm





1st Alarm level of UL2034 approved CO


Alarms- 2-4 hours

Maximum NCI level for Unvented appliances


3rd Alarm level for NSI 3000 - 30 seconds


NSI 3000 Low Level Monitor cannot be silenced
by reset button

100ppm Maximum NCI CO level during run cycle in all



vented appliances(stable)

Maximum NCI CO for all oil appliances

200ppm



First listed level(established in 1930) healthy


adults will have symptoms-headaches, nausea
NIOSH & OSHA recommend evacuation of
workplace

Maximum Air Free CO for vented water


heater and unvented heaters (ANSI Z21)

UL approved alarms must sound between


30 60 minutes(NSI 3000 30 seconds)

Healthy adults will have headaches within 1-2


hours. Life threatening after 3 hours

400ppm



Maximum EPA levels for industrial flue exhaust


UL Alarms must alarm within 15 minutes
(NSI 3000 30 seconds)

Maximum recommended light-off CO for all


appliances NCI (except oil)

800ppm



Healthy adults will have nausea, dizziness,


convulsions within 45 minutes. Unconscious
within 2 hours then Death(established in 1930)
Maximum Air Free CO for unvented gas ovens
(ANSI Z21)

25ppm

Maximum allowable in a Parking Garage


(International Mechanical Code)

27ppm

21% increase in cardio respiratory complaints


(Kurt-1978)

30ppm


Earliest onset of exercise induced angina


(World Health Organization)
1st visual display on UL2034 approved CO
Alarm-Must not alarm before 30 days

35ppm



US NIOSH recommended 8 hour maximum


workplace exposure

Level many fire departments wear breathing


apparatus before entering

2nd ambient level occupants should be notified


and space ventilated

2nd Alarm level for NSI 3000 Low Level


Monitor-5 minutes

EPA standard for outdoors for 1 hour and


a maximum of 1 time per year

Action

Maximum Air Free CO in all vented


heating appliances (ANSI Z21)

800ppm+ Death in less than one hour


2000ppm EPA standard for new vehicle emissions
3000ppm+Typical emissions from propane lift trucks,

gasoline powered tools etc.

Death in less than 30 minutes.

2008 National Comfort Institute, Inc.


TM

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