my carbon monoxide detector reads 2ppm in my wearhouse when my forklift trucks are running is this safe?

CHARLES

Answer
If it truly is only 2 ppm then you are within the limits of OSHA which has established a 50 PPM limit for the workplace.... But be careful of the testing device you are using. Some devices use a different unit of measure. The safest concentration is zero.
Some detection devices only measure concentrations of 1,000 parts per million and higher, significantly above safe levels. Testing equipment should be capable of sensing levels as low as one part per million. For example, Underwriters Laboratories' standard for residential carbon monoxide detectors requires detectors to alarm before 90 minutes of exposure to 100 parts per million of carbon monoxide.

If initial readings don't reveal sufficient concentrations of carbon monoxide to set off the alarm, digital measurement testing equipment that produces a printed 24-hour record can be used to help identify the source.

Sources of carbon monoxide in the home?

no

I moved into a new home a little over a year ago and have been having on going problems with mild/ moderate levels of Carbon monoxide in my home. I have severl CO detecters in my home, one as part of the smoke detector system and then several wall mounts. the alarm will sound when the level reaches 50 and it goes off when I have closed the windows for a length of time. This is about once every few months. The wall mount detector has a window to register peak levels and it ussually reads 10 -27. it does not alarm until it hits 30 though. I know that those are low levels but still worrisome. and need to find the source. soon after moving in we had significant levels of co in the house and required medical care. At that time I had someone go through the house, test it, and make repairs. The problem is still there though. My home has a wood burning stove which is hardly ever used, a propane gas oven and range, and for heat and hot water we use heating fuel to run a boiler. I do live in a eemote area with limited support services. Question: what are the sources of CO and how do I check for it? Any advice on how to deal with a home with low levels of CO in it. I can not leave the windows open 24/7 and that is what I am having to do now. Should we see a physician again and if so what tests should we request?
I am in northern Alaska so my house is very weatherized. Maybe to well it seems.

i was not able to get a tif detector but am using the wall co monitior to test around the house. it has a backup battery with ac plug. will it take readings with just the battery? also do you know how to rest the peak level on the Kidee wall mount CO detector?

Thanks all for the help and ideas

Answer
If everything is vented or working properly your co readings should be zero. Long term effects will cause fatigue, headaches, and a number of other ailments. Sources of co could be many or few depending on the home and appliances. Pilot lights on older gas stoves, furnaces, water heaters and dryers if not vented properly or are malfunctioning causing a larger than average flame can emit a substantial amount of co. Newer appliances often have electronic ignitiers with no pilot lights. Gas grills, running cars, lawn mowers, weed eaters, chain saws, anything that runs on a fuel can cause co. Maybe you can borrow a hydrocabon detector (Tif) from a heating contractor. A Tif detector will detect ppm levels of hydrocarbons (meaning leaking propane or natural gas) in addition to Carbon Monoxide. You would wave it around appliances, pipes, regulators, tanks, etc and it will detect and help you pinpoint problem areas. A new Tif detector is around $200. Maybe you could find one on ebay inexpensively. Maybe by placing co detectors near each possible problem appliance you could zero in on the source or sources of the CO. I wish you much luck.

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my carbon monoxide detector reads 2ppm in my wearhouse when my forklift trucks are running is this safe?

CHARLES

Answer
If it truly is only 2 ppm then you are within the limits of OSHA which has established a 50 PPM limit for the workplace.... But be careful of the testing device you are using. Some devices use a different unit of measure. The safest concentration is zero.
Some detection devices only measure concentrations of 1,000 parts per million and higher, significantly above safe levels. Testing equipment should be capable of sensing levels as low as one part per million. For example, Underwriters Laboratories' standard for residential carbon monoxide detectors requires detectors to alarm before 90 minutes of exposure to 100 parts per million of carbon monoxide.

If initial readings don't reveal sufficient concentrations of carbon monoxide to set off the alarm, digital measurement testing equipment that produces a printed 24-hour record can be used to help identify the source.

Sources of carbon monoxide in the home?

no

I moved into a new home a little over a year ago and have been having on going problems with mild/ moderate levels of Carbon monoxide in my home. I have severl CO detecters in my home, one as part of the smoke detector system and then several wall mounts. the alarm will sound when the level reaches 50 and it goes off when I have closed the windows for a length of time. This is about once every few months. The wall mount detector has a window to register peak levels and it ussually reads 10 -27. it does not alarm until it hits 30 though. I know that those are low levels but still worrisome. and need to find the source. soon after moving in we had significant levels of co in the house and required medical care. At that time I had someone go through the house, test it, and make repairs. The problem is still there though. My home has a wood burning stove which is hardly ever used, a propane gas oven and range, and for heat and hot water we use heating fuel to run a boiler. I do live in a eemote area with limited support services. Question: what are the sources of CO and how do I check for it? Any advice on how to deal with a home with low levels of CO in it. I can not leave the windows open 24/7 and that is what I am having to do now. Should we see a physician again and if so what tests should we request?
I am in northern Alaska so my house is very weatherized. Maybe to well it seems.

i was not able to get a tif detector but am using the wall co monitior to test around the house. it has a backup battery with ac plug. will it take readings with just the battery? also do you know how to rest the peak level on the Kidee wall mount CO detector?

Thanks all for the help and ideas

Answer
If everything is vented or working properly your co readings should be zero. Long term effects will cause fatigue, headaches, and a number of other ailments. Sources of co could be many or few depending on the home and appliances. Pilot lights on older gas stoves, furnaces, water heaters and dryers if not vented properly or are malfunctioning causing a larger than average flame can emit a substantial amount of co. Newer appliances often have electronic ignitiers with no pilot lights. Gas grills, running cars, lawn mowers, weed eaters, chain saws, anything that runs on a fuel can cause co. Maybe you can borrow a hydrocabon detector (Tif) from a heating contractor. A Tif detector will detect ppm levels of hydrocarbons (meaning leaking propane or natural gas) in addition to Carbon Monoxide. You would wave it around appliances, pipes, regulators, tanks, etc and it will detect and help you pinpoint problem areas. A new Tif detector is around $200. Maybe you could find one on ebay inexpensively. Maybe by placing co detectors near each possible problem appliance you could zero in on the source or sources of the CO. I wish you much luck.

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my carbon monoxide detector reads 2ppm in my wearhouse when my forklift trucks are running is this safe?

carbon monoxide detector 50 ppm image

Answer
If it truly is only 2 ppm then you are within the limits of OSHA which has established a 50 PPM limit for the workplace.... But be careful of the testing device you are using. Some devices use a different unit of measure. The safest concentration is zero.
Some detection devices only measure concentrations of 1,000 parts per million and higher, significantly above safe levels. Testing equipment should be capable of sensing levels as low as one part per million. For example, Underwriters Laboratories' standard for residential carbon monoxide detectors requires detectors to alarm before 90 minutes of exposure to 100 parts per million of carbon monoxide.

If initial readings don't reveal sufficient concentrations of carbon monoxide to set off the alarm, digital measurement testing equipment that produces a printed 24-hour record can be used to help identify the source.

Carbon Monoxide and homeostasis?

Q. If the bond formed between carbon monoxide and hemoglobin is over 200 time stronger than the bond formed between oxygen and hemoglobin, how does exposure to carbon monoxide affect homeostasis?

Answer
Hemoglobin transports oxygen and carbon dioxide back and forth. Depending on the concentration in each environment, CO2 or O2 will break away from hemoglobin and diffuse into the cells or into lungs.

But if a certain molecule is bound to hemoglobin very tightly, they will not break away easily to diffuse into cells or into the lung. And Carbon monoxide is a molecule that will bind hemoglobin and leave no space for the much needed CO2 and O2 molecules to bind to hemoglobin.

Thus all hemoglobin when bound by Carbon monoxide will not leave any space for CO2 or O2 to bind. Thus there will be no cellular respiration occuring. Thus a person will die.

Carbon monoxide is a significantly toxic gas and has no odor or color. It is the most common type of fatal poisoning in many countries. Exposures can lead to significant toxicity of the central nervous system and heart. Following poisoning, long-term sequelae often occurs. Carbon monoxide can also have severe effects on the foetus of a pregnant woman. Symptoms of mild poisoning include headaches and dizziness at concentrations less than 100 ppm. Concentrations as low as 667 ppm can cause up to 50% of the body's haemoglobin to be converted to carboxy-haemoglobin (HbCO). Carboxy-haemoglobin is quite stable but this change is reversible. Carboxy-haemoglobin is ineffective for delivering oxygen, resulting in some body parts not receiving oxygen needed. As a result, exposures of this level can be life-threatening. In the United States, OSHA limits long-term workplace exposure levels to 50 ppm.

The mechanisms by which carbon monoxide produces toxic effects are not yet fully understood, but haemoglobin, myoglobin, and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase are thought to be compromised. Treatment largely consists of administering 100% oxygen or hyperbaric oxygen therapy, although the optimum treatment remains controversial. Domestic carbon monoxide poisoning can be prevented by the use of household carbon monoxide detectors.

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on a nighthawk detector what numbers are considered unsafe?

carbon monoxide detector 50 ppm image

Nay

We have a Nighthawk carbon monoxide detector in our home. The number 8 just recently appeared on the screen. Should we be concerned? No alarm has gone off.

Answer
I just installed one of those the other day and I would have sworn that 8 was an error code that I got and that you just have to unplug the detector and plug it back in. But I just looked at the manual online and there is no mention of 8 being an error code. It does display "888" for a few seconds when you fist plug it in.

If it is steadily displaying an 8 then that is the level of carbon monoxide that it has detected since last reset. On the one hand that is a very low level and is safe - some references put the maximum continuous exposure level at 35 ppm and some say 50 ppm. Either way, 8 ppm is very low.

But then you have to wonder where the 8 ppm came from and if it is from a leak than may get worse over time. Having a CO detector is a good thing, it will make plenty of noise if the levels ever get to the point that you need to take action.

You could call Kidde at 800-880-6788 and talk to them if you want some reassurance.

What level of carbon monoxide is dangerous?

Michelle

My NIGHTHAWK carbon monoxide detector is reading 9...I did just cook a turkey, but...help?

Answer
That detector is reading in parts per million (ppm). 9 ppm is basically harmless. OSHA allows workers to be exposed to 50 ppm. 100ppm is considered fatal. They set those detectors very low to give you plenty of time to correct a problem.
What JB said about opening a window is a good idea.

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