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Carbon Monoxide Workplace Hazards Guide

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced from incomplete combustion of carbon-containing substances like fossil fuels. It is hazardous because it disrupts oxygen transport in the body by binding to hemoglobin over 200 times more than oxygen. Exposure can damage the heart, brain and other tissues with high oxygen needs and cause symptoms like headaches, dizziness and nausea. High risk groups include the elderly, pregnant women, smokers and those with pre-existing heart or lung conditions. Occupations like firefighting, vehicle operation and industrial processes involving combustion are common sources. Controls include eliminating sources, improving combustion efficiency, ventilation and personal protective equipment.

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Rauf Huseynov
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49 views16 pages

Carbon Monoxide Workplace Hazards Guide

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced from incomplete combustion of carbon-containing substances like fossil fuels. It is hazardous because it disrupts oxygen transport in the body by binding to hemoglobin over 200 times more than oxygen. Exposure can damage the heart, brain and other tissues with high oxygen needs and cause symptoms like headaches, dizziness and nausea. High risk groups include the elderly, pregnant women, smokers and those with pre-existing heart or lung conditions. Occupations like firefighting, vehicle operation and industrial processes involving combustion are common sources. Controls include eliminating sources, improving combustion efficiency, ventilation and personal protective equipment.

Uploaded by

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

Carbon Monoxide

Such a Simple Thing


Identification of Workplace
Hazard

• Carbon Monoxide (CO) = a chemical


compound consisting of one carbon and
one oxygen.
• CO is a colorless and odorless gas at
room temperature. Therefore, it has no
WARNING properties!!!!
• The most likely route of exposure is
through inhalation.
Extent of Hazard
• “Some 2,000 persons a year are killed by CO
gas exposure”
• “At least 10,000 more workers suffer from
exposure to debilitating levels of CO”
• “One of the most dangerous industrial hazards”
• “One of the most widespread”
Nature of Hazard

• Primarily known as • CO simply disrupts


an asphixiant or the oxygen transport
chemical anoxiant. to all tissues in the
This means that the body.
CO causes absence
or abnormally low • CO combines with
amounts of oxygen in hemoglobin in blood
the body to form
carboxyhemoglobin
(COHb)
Nature of Hazard II
• CO has an affinity for the oxygen binding site in the
blood; 200 times more so than oxygen
• Other Potential Hazards (Atypical): highly
flammable, may form explosive mixtures when
mixed in air, may react to finely dispersed metal
powders to form toxic and flammable carbonyls,
may react vigorously w/ oxygen, acetylene,
chlorine, fluorine, nitrous oxide.
• Other Physical Properties: BP -191ºC, MP -205°C,
Explosive Limits (volume % in air) 12.5-74.2
Health Effects (Target Organs
or Systems)

• Blood • Tissues with the


highest oxygen need
• Cardiovascular are first affected:
System
myocardium
• Lungs
brain
• Central Nervous
exercising muscles
System
Symptoms of Exposure

Headaches Rapid Nausea Weakness


breathing

Dizzyness Confusion Hallutionations Cyanosis


(bluish
discoloration)
Angina (severe Fainting Vomiting Fatigue
pain)

Depression of Diminished Coma Death


ST segment of mental &
EKG physical ablility
Particularly Susceptible
Populations
• Elderly
• Pregnant Women and Young Children
• Smokers
• Persons with existing illnesses: WHY???
a. cardiovascular disease (heart disease,
coronary artery disease)
b. pulmonary disease (asthma, emphysema,
chronic bronchitis)
c. blood disorders (sickle cell anemia)
Sources of CO
• Incomplete combustion of anything
containing carbon (fossil fuels, wood,
tobacco) - Especially high in exhaust
from internal combustion engines.
• CO is a metabolic product of methylene
chloride (common ingredient in paints
and solvents)
• may be be produced within the body by
catabolism (breakdown) of hemoglobin
Typical Occupations that May
Experience CO Hazard
• lawn care workers
• fire fighters
• janitorial staff
• garage mechanics
• disaster relief
• aircraft refuelers workers
• truck Drivers • miners

• Kiln and furnace • parking garage


operators attendants

• forklift operators • toll collectors


• agricultural workers
Standard Methods of
Measurement/Assessment
• Direct reading CO Detector (electro-
chemical voltimetric sensor) - dataloger
and calibration to known gas concentration
required
• sampling with calibrated vacuum pump
through adsorption tube - laboratory
analysis
• detector tubes certified by NIOSH
• all samples or measurements should be in
the worker’s “breathing zone”
Applicable IH Standards
• ACGIH TLV=25 ppm
• OSHA PEL=50 ppm TWA
TWA
• EPA NAAQS (Primary
• NIOSH REL=35 ppm Standard) for outside
TWA; 200 ppm air=9 ppm (TWA 8
ceiling hrs), =35 ppm (TWA 1
hr). This was
• NIOSH IDLH=1,200 established to protect
ppm public health
(susceptible
populations)
Possible CO Hazard Control
Measures (if needed)
• Eliminate - ex. Substitute gas mower
with electric or manual mower.
• Control Source - ex. Adjust equipment to
control emissions (catalytic converters) or
improve efficiency of combustion process
• Apply appropriate ventilation or exhaust
mechanism (only inside enclosures),
ensure proper operation of exhausts
More CO Hazard Control
Measures

• Provide appropriate personal protective


equipment (PPE) to workers, when
sources can not be controlled or
eliminated and levels are suspected as
hazardous. SCBA (NIOSH specified) is
often specified. Definitely applies to
fire/rescue personnel.
Note: CO can be a Hazard in
Nonoccupational Settings

• Schools
• Homes
• Commuting
• Hospitals
• Nursing Homes
Electronic Resources

• Internet:
– [Link]/
– [Link]/niosh/[Link]
– [Link]/iaq/
– [Link]/
– [Link]/

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