7 HAZARDS OF CARBON MONOXIDE
Carbon monoxide poisoning results in headache, nausea, chronic tired-
ness, confusion, dizziness, and sometimes coma or death. It effects
people by cutting off the supply of oxygen to their muscles and brain.
The harmful effects of carbon monoxide exposure depend on both the
concentration of CO in the air and the length of exposure.
Concentration
Inhalation time and toxic
of CO in air
symptoms developed
50 ppm* (0.005%)
Maximum allowable concentration for
continuous exposure in any 8-hour period.
200 ppm* (0.02%)
Slight headache, tiredness, dizziness,
nausea after 2–3 hours.
400 ppm (0.04%)
Frontal headaches within 1–2 hours,
life-threatening after 3 hours.
800 ppm (0.08%)
Dizziness, nausea and convulsions within
45 minutes. Unconsciousness within
2 hours. Death within 2–3 hours.
1,600 ppm (0.16%)
Headache, dizziness and nausea within
20 minutes. Death within 1 hour.
3,200 ppm (0.32%)
Headache, dizziness and nausea within
5–10 minutes. Death within 30 minutes.
6,400 ppm (0.64%)
Headache, dizziness and nausea within
1–2 minutes. Death within 10–15 minutes.
12,800 ppm (1.28%)
Death within 1–3 minutes.
For more information on CO ask about Bacharach's
CO Regional Training Seminars.
*Maximum CO concentration for exposure at any time as prescribed
by OSHA. Effects can vary signifi cantly based on age, sex, weight and
overall state of health.
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