Carbon Dioxide is a toxic gas which is odourless and colourless. Rising levels of
Carbon Dioxide affect the human body, but what level is dangerous
and how do you know you are suffering from carbon Dioxide poisoning?
The box below shows how rising levels of Carbon Dioxide affect the
human body and what side effects you may experience with Carbon Dioxide poisoning.
The Dangers of Carbon Dioxide
1000ppm
0.1%
Prolonged
exposure can affect powers of concentration
5000
ppm
0.5%
The
normal international Safety Limit (HSE, OSHA)
10,000ppm
1%
Your
rate of breathing increases very slightly but you probably will
not notice it.
15,000ppm
1.5%
The
normal Short Term Exposure Limit (HSE, OSHA)
20,000ppm
2%
You
start to breathe at about 50% above your normal rate. If you are
exposed to this level over several hours you may feel tired and
get a headache.
30,000ppm
3%
You
will be breathing at twice your normal rate. You may feel a bit
dizzy at times, your heart rate and blood pressure increase and
headaches are more frequent. Even your hearing can be impaired.
40,000-50,000ppm
4-5%
Now
the effects of CO2 really start to take over. Breathing is much
faster - about four times the normal rate and after only 30
minutes exposure to this level you will show signs of poisoning
and feel a choking sensation.
50,000-100,000ppm
5-10%
You
will start to smell carbon dioxide, a pungent but stimulating
smell like fresh, carbonated water. You will become tired quickly
with laboured breathing, headaches, tinnitus as well as impaired
vision. You are likely to become confused in a few minutes,
followed by unconsciousness.
100,000ppm-1,000,000ppm
10-100%
Unconsciousness
occurs more quickly, the higher the concentration. The longer the
exposure and the higher the level of carbon dioxide, the quicker
suffocation occurs.
