Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odourless and tasteless gas forming in the process of combustion of fossil fuels. Without a sufficient oxygen feed, the CO concentration in the ambient air rises especially fast and then even small amounts can be enough to cause damages to health:

Already at a CO share of only 1.28 % in the room air, death by suffocation occurs after only one to two minutes.

Therefore, in Germany we have severe limit values required by law for the CO exposure of employees. The permissible limit value here is 30 ppm (corresponds to 35 mg per m³) in the ambient air.

Nevertheless, the air pollution in production facilities, craft enterprises or workshops is often wrongly assessed and the risk of CO poisoning ignored, although even the short-term operation of diesel-powered and petrol-driven machines in closed rooms such as underground car parks, assembly shops or construction sites can lead to symptoms of intoxication.

Hence, it is important to constantly check the current CO concentration in indoor spaces, factory halls and building sites using appropriate measuring devices. The inspection of the air quality by use of CO measuring devices is also absolutely recommendable for the catering trade, e.g. when using gas radiant heaters, or for indoor go-kart operators.