Carbon Dioxide Information

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon Dioxide MSDS

What is Carbon Dioxide?

Carbon Dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is formed by the body and is essential for the respiration cycle of plants and animals. It is mostly nontoxic unless concentrations become elevated. Compressed containers of carbon dioxide can explode when heated, but the gas is noncombustible. It is used to freeze food, carbonate beverages, extinguish fires, and has various uses in agricultural and medical applications. Carbon dioxide is often released into the atmosphere as a result of fossil fuel use and deforestation. Carbon Dioxide makes up about 81% of U.S. Greenhouse Gas emissions. Excess carbon dioxide causes ocean acidification as well, making it one of the primary factors to climate change.

Carbon Dioxide Exposure and Health Risks

Carbon Dioxide is naturally occurring and makes up about half a percent of our atmosphere. Carbon Dioxide is naturally formed by the body and expelled as waste from the cellular respiration cycle. The inability to expel carbon dioxide results in a build-up of concentration in the body, leading to headaches, increased respiration, and in extreme cases unconsciousness or death. Solid and liquid carbon dioxide can also cause cold contact burns and frostbite.

Regulations

The table below summarizes the most-recent exposure limits.

Sources: NIOSH, OSHA

Measuring Carbon Dioxide

Carbon Dioxide can be measured in the air or in water (dissolved) by units of parts per million (ppm). Measuring dissolved carbon dioxide levels can help prevent acidification which destroys aquatic ecosystems. We carry portable, fixed, and dissolved carbon dioxide monitors and kits, and all of our carbon dioxide products can be viewed HERE.

D16	The D16 is a versatile tool designed for gas leak detection, personal safety, spot checking, confined entry, and data logging, and more. It can be used as a portable monitor or as a stationary one that can be set to log data over long periods of time. This customizable unit can be fitted with a variety of sensors and is sold with every accessory you may need for fast and accurate portable gas detection.	0-1%
D12-IR	The D12-IR is designed for operation in hazardous areas using a compact infrared sensor. It's explosion-proof cast aluminum housing is rated for Class 1, Division 1, Group B, C, D locations and is UL, FM, and CSA certified. This monitor can be fitted with a variety of sensors to be used on a wide range of toxic and combustible gases.	0-2000ppm 0-5%
S200	The Series 200 portable gas monitor uses Gas Sensitive Electrochemical technology (GSE) to measure gases found in indoor or industrial environments. It is designed for spot checking, personal exposure monitoring, and leak identification. This monitor can be fitted with a variety of sensor heads to be used on a wide range of toxic gases.	0-2000ppm 0-5000ppm
S300	The Series 300 portable gas monitor uses Gas Sensitive Electrochemical technology (GSE) to measure gases found in indoor or industrial environments. It shares the same features as the S200 with the additions of audible alarms and relay and voltage outputs which allow you to interface with control systems, data loggers, and other equipment. This monitor can be fitted with a variety of sensor heads to be used on a wide range of toxic gases.	0-2000ppm 0-5000ppm
S500	The Series 500 portable gas monitor uses Gas Sensitive Electrochemical technology (GSE) to measure gases found in indoor or industrial environments. It shares the same features as the S200 and S300 with the additions of internal data logging as well as PC connections cables. This monitor can be fitted with a variety of sensor heads to be used on a wide range of toxic gases.	0-2000ppm 0-5000ppm
S900	The Series 900 fixed gas monitor uses Gas Sensitive Electrochemical technology (GSE) designed to operate as a relay controller, gas transmitter, or networked device. It can also monitor temperature and humidity if needed. This monitor can be fitted with a variety of sensor heads to be used on a wide range of toxic gases.	0-2000ppm 0-5000ppm

Contact us for help choosing the right monitor for your application