Carbon Monoxide Monitoring for Safety

Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless, tasteless gas that can have adverse effects on the human body if it accumulates to dangerous levels. Common carbon monoxide producing items include catalytic heaters, fireplaces, and various gas burning appliances such as gas heaters.

Get informed about carbon monoxide, its effects on the human body, and the preventative measures you can take to reduce the risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Sources of Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide is a by-product of incomplete combustion. The most common sources of carbon monoxide around the home and workplace include

• Wood, Charcoal or Gas Barbeques
• Fireplaces
• Catalytic and Gas Heaters
• Gas and Kesosine Cooktops
• Portable Generators
• Wood Burning Stoves
• Car and Truck Engines

The amount of carbon monoxide produced by these sources isn’t a cause for concern in the right environment. If these combustion units are misused, operated in a closed space, or an area with poor ventilation, carbon monoxide can build to dangerous levels.

See Table 1 (below) for guidelines for the control of short-term exposure to carbon monoxide.

Table 1 Guidelines for the control of short-term excursions for carbon monoxide. Source Safe Work Australia 

Why is Carbon Monoxide Dangerous?

Haemoglobin is a protein found within the blood. It’s responsible for transporting oxygen from your lungs, around your body. When you breathe in carbon monoxide, the molecules are picked up by haemoglobin more readily than oxygen. Haemoglobin that already has carbon monoxide attached cannot absorb oxygen.

Two damaging impacts of extended carbon monoxide exposure are:

1.Your body’s ability to carry enough oxygen to meet the needs of your body will be compromised. Without enough oxygen, individual cells suffocate and die, especially in vital organs such as the brain and heart.

2.Carbon monoxide can act directly as a poison, interfering with your cells’ internal chemical reactions.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Dizziness, nausea, and vomiting
• Chest pain
• Confusion; and
• At critically high levels - loss of consciousness and death.

How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Due to the odourless, colourless, tasteless properties of carbon monoxide, it can impact without warning. Here are some suggestions to reduce your risk:

1.Invest in a fixed or handheld carbon monoxide detector for your home. If you already have a fixed device, check this as often as you would check your smoke detector.

2.Keep any fuel-burning appliances adequately ventilated. Where possible purchase appliances that vent to the outside.

3.Before every winter, make a habit of checking the condition of your heating appliances condition and make sure all home ventilation is adequate. 

4.Use products as intended and always read the instructions on the label. For example, do not use outdoor heaters inside. Do not use portable camping stoves in enclosed spaces. And don’t run a generator in an enclosed space.

5.Avoid running your car inside your garage, even with the garage door open.

6.If you have a fireplace, keep it in good repair. Clean the fireplace, chimney, and flue every year.

7.Staying somewhere? It’s always worthwhile to check proper safety precautions are in place. For example, Air BnB now encourages hosts to install carbon monoxide detectors. When browsing listings, check if your host’s property has a carbon monoxide detector installed.

Carbon Monoxide Detector and Logger Examples 

CO Sensor Head (0-100 ppm) 
Product Code: IC-SH ECN

This CO sensor head is a fan-sampling gas-sensitive semiconductor sensor. It is compatible with portable handheld units and fixed stations. The detector is recommended for applications such as outdoor environmental monitoring, evaluating indoor air quality, and industrial health and safety management.

Other Sensor Head ranges: CO Sensor Head (GSE 0-10 ppm) Product Code: IC-SH ECM and CO Sensor Head (GSS 0-1000 ppm) Product Code: IC-SH CO

Carbon Monoxide Measuring Range: 0-100ppm

Accuracy: <±10% (10-100 ppm)

Carbon Monoxide Detector 
Product Code: IC-FLUKE-CO-220

The IC-Fluke-CO-220 Carbon Monoxide Detector is the perfect instrument for measuring carbon monoxide levels within spaces such as industrial environments, commercial buildings, or residential dwellings that are prone to the accumulation of combustion gas. When carbon monoxide is detected, the meter rapidly displays the reading on the large backlit LCD. The meter also features a beeping tone, which increases in frequency as carbon monoxide levels rise.

Carbon Monoxide Measuring Range:0 to 1000ppm

Accuracy:5% or ± 2 PPM (whichever is greater)

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Data Logger, USB, Battery

Product Code: IC-EL-USB-CO

The EL-USB-CO is a USB data logger that measures and stores up to 32,510 Carbon Monoxide (CO) readings over a 0 to 1000 ppm measurement range. The user can easily set up the logging rate and start time, and download the stored data by plugging the module straight into a PC's USB port and running the purpose designed software. 

Note: The EL-USB-CO is a professional instrument that is designed to measure and record levels of Carbon Monoxide (CO) in air over a period of time. It takes a sample reading at set intervals for recording / monitoring / analysis purposes. It is not a suitable substitute for a domestic or industrial Carbon Monoxide detector/alarm. 

Carbon Monoxide Measurement Range: 0 to 1000 ppm 
Accuracy: ±6% of reading

Testo 440 - Air velocity and IAQ measuring instrument.  

Product Code: IC-0560 4401

When used with either the Digital wired CO Probe (IC-0532 1272) or the CO Probe (Digital) Bluetooth (IC-0632 1271), this meter takes precise and reliable measurements of carbon monoxide in a range of environments.You can store individual readings directly in the measuring instrument by pressing the button on the probe.

Carbon Monoxide Measuring Range:0 to 100ppm, 100.1 to 500 ppm

Accuracy:±3 ppm (0 to 30 ppm), ±5 ppm (30.1 to 100 ppm), ±10 % of mv (100.1 to 500 ppm)

Conclusion

Adequate ventilation, using appliances as intended, checking the condition of items and keeping them in good repair are commonsense ways to reduce your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. To avoid exposure to dangerous levels of the gas, invest in a fixed or portable carbon monoxide tester and monitor gas levels when gas-producing combustion units are in operation.

If you want more information about carbon monoxide detectors, contact an Instrument Choice scientist. We’re here to help!

Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].