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Carbon monoxide (CO)

Learn everything you need to know about carbon monoxide (CO) and find the right gas detection system for carbon monoxide monitoring.

Carbon monoxide (CO) and its properties

Commonly known as CO, carbon monoxide is the product of incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels such as wood, natural gas or petrol. Because it is odourless, carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous; you cannot detect it. Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause serious health problems, including headaches, dizziness, unconsciousness and, in the worst case, death. Our gas detection technology enables the early detection of potential carbon monoxide leaks, providing effective protection for employees, residents and others in residential, work and industrial environments.

Gasmessfühler

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limit values

Information on carbon monoxide limits

SUVA limit values

MAK value: 20 ppm (23 mg/m³)
KZG value: 100 ppm (117 mg/m3)

EU workplace exposure limits (BOELV)

MAK value: 20 ppm (23 mg/m³)
KZG-Wert: 100 ppm (117 mg/m³)

Gasmerkmale

Colourless: Carbon monoxide cannot be seen because it is a colourless gas.
Odourless: It is completely odourless and cannot be detected without special detectors.
No taste: Carbon monoxide has no taste, which makes it even more difficult to detect.
Density: It is slightly less dense than air, which means that it tends to spread in enclosed spaces.
Solubility: It is easily soluble in water, but less so than carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Toxicity: Extremely toxic, even in low concentrations. It blocks oxygen transport in the blood because it binds to haemoglobin.
Explosion hazard: Carbon monoxide can be explosive in the air when present in certain concentrations, especially at high temperatures.
Combustion: Carbon monoxide is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials.
Risk of suffocation: In enclosed spaces, oxygen deficiency can quickly lead to suffocation.

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DANGERS

Vehicles in enclosed spaces: Engines that run in garages or enclosed spaces can produce dangerous levels of CO.
Blocked or clogged flues and chimneys: If exhaust gases cannot be properly discharged, carbon monoxide can linger and accumulate in enclosed spaces.
Faulty or poorly maintained heating appliances: Boilers, gas cookers, gas ovens and water heaters that are not properly maintained can release CO.
Cigarette smoke: Smoking indoors can also release small amounts of CO, which can be particularly dangerous for people with heart or lung conditions.
Watercraft and boats: In cabins or covered areas, combustion engines on boats can release CO.
Industrial facilities: Certain industrial processes, particularly those that rely on the combustion of fossil fuels, can emit carbon monoxide.

HIGH-RISK SCENARIOS

Motorised vehicles in enclosed garages: A vehicle engine running in an enclosed or inadequately ventilated garage can quickly cause CO levels to rise to dangerous levels.
Defective or blocked flues and chimneys: In households with gas or wood-burning heating systems, flues and chimneys that are not working properly or are blocked can cause CO to flow back into the living space instead of being safely vented outside.
Boating in enclosed areas: Operating combustion engines on boats in enclosed areas or cabins, especially in still air or without ventilation, can lead to CO poisoning.
Living spaces above garages: Flats or rooms located directly above garages where vehicles are regularly operated may have high CO concentrations if they are inadequately sealed or ventilated.

Health risks and handling of carbon monoxide

Konzentration

Konzentration	Symptome/folgen
0.01 - 0.2 ppm	Normal values outdoors
50 - 100 ppm	Prolonged exposure may cause initial symptoms such as headaches and dizziness.
200 - 400 ppm	After approximately 2-3 hours of exposure, more severe symptoms such as severe headaches, dizziness, nausea and confusion occur.
800 ppm and above	Exposure for 1-2 hours can be fatal. Concentrations above 1600 ppm can be fatal within 20 minutes.

Konzentrationstabelle nur im Querformat sichtbar.

Erste Hilfe

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can be life-threatening and requires immediate first aid. The following are the steps for first aid in the event of CO poisoning:

1. Evacuation without delay

Take the affected person outside immediately.
Improve ventilation by opening doors and windows, but do not take any risks.

2. Raise the alarm

Dial the emergency number (112) and report your suspicion of CO poisoning.
Provide as many details as possible, such as whether the incident was caused by heating or car exhaust fumes.

3. Check breathing and whether the person is conscious.

Determine whether the person is conscious and breathing normally.
If the person is not breathing, start resuscitation (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if you have been trained to do so.

4. Oxygen administration

If available, administer 100% oxygen via a face mask. This can speed up recovery by displacing CO from the blood.

5. Stable recovery position

If the person is conscious but dazed, place them in the recovery position to prevent them from choking on their vomit.

6. Pay attention to the person

Continuously monitor breathing and consciousness until the emergency services arrive.

7. Supplementary actions

Communicate with the arriving emergency services and provide them with important information, such as the duration of exposure and the situation on site.

Important note:

Never enter an area that you suspect contains CO without adequate respiratory protection or safety precautions.
Without prompt treatment, CO poisoning can have serious consequences, so it is important to act quickly.

Bei Unbeabsichtigter Freisetzung

To minimise danger to people in the vicinity, quick and coordinated action is crucial in the event of an accidental release of carbon monoxide (CO). The following steps are recommended:

1. Clearing the danger zone

Leave the area immediately, especially if you are operating CO devices nearby (e.g. heaters, engines).
Alert others in the vicinity and help everyone to leave the area quickly and safely.

2. Optimise ventilation

Open doors and windows fully to remove the CO from the area and replace it with fresh air.
If available, activate ventilation systems to accelerate ventilation.

3. Deactivate CO source

If it is safe to do so, deactivate the source of CO (e.g. heating, oven, engine).
Be careful and avoid exposing yourself to danger.

4. Trigger the alarm

Contact the emergency services (112) immediately to get professional help, especially if people are affected or if the CO cannot be removed quickly.
Provide clear information about the situation and the source of the CO.

5. Rescue of persons (only if it is safe to do so)

Only attempt to rescue people from the danger zone if it is safe to do so and you will not put yourself in danger.
Keep in mind that CO in large quantities can quickly lead to unconsciousness.

6. Administer first aid

If people show symptoms of CO poisoning (e.g. headache, dizziness, nausea), observe the following
The first aid measures for CO poisoning that you described earlier:
- Escort the person outside.
- Administer oxygen, if available.
- Observe breathing and level of consciousness.

7. Warning and cordoning off

Cordon off the danger area to prevent others from accidentally entering it until the danger has been removed.
Important note:

You should not enter the area without adequate respiratory protection, especially if the CO concentration is high or unknown.
A serious accident can occur due to the release of carbon monoxide; therefore, it is crucial to always act cautiously and with foresight.

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odourless gas that can quickly prove fatal, as it occurs unnoticed in the air and blocks oxygen uptake in the body.

carbon monoxide

Special applications

Food preservation: Carbon monoxide is used in small quantities to preserve meat products. It helps to maintain the red colour of meat by reacting with myoglobin, making the product more appealing to consumers.
Metallurgy: Carbon monoxide is frequently used in metallurgy, particularly in the reduction of metal oxides to metals. One example is the reduction of iron oxide (FeO) to iron (Fe) in blast furnaces for the production of steel.
Synthesis gas: Carbon monoxide is an important component of synthesis gas (syngas), which consists of a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Synthesis gas is used as an intermediate product in the manufacture of various chemicals, such as methanol or synthetic fuels.