Thermo Scientific Forma 8600 Series, User Manual

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A -4 8600 Series Thermo Scientific
Appendix B
Handling Liquid CO
2
Warning High concentrations of CO
2
gas can cause asphyxiation! OSHA
Standards specify that employee exposure to carbon dioxide in any eight-
hour shift of a 40-hour work week shall not exceed the eight-hour time
weighted average of 5000 PPM (0.5% CO
2
). The short term exposure
limit for 15 minutes or less is 30,000 PPM (3% CO
2
). Carbon dioxide
monitors are recommended for confined areas where concentrations of
carbon dioxide gas can accumulate.
s
Store and use liquid CO
2
only in a well-ventilated place.
As the liquid evaporates, the resulting gas tends to displace the normal air
from the area. In closed areas, excessive amounts of CO
2
gas reduce the
concentration of oxygen and can result in asphyxiation. Because CO
2
gas
is colorless, odorless and tasteless, it cannot be detected by the human
senses and will be breathed as if it were air. Breathing an atmosphere that
contains less than 18% oxygen can cause dizziness and quickly result in
unconsciousness and death.
Note The cloudy vapor that appears when liquid CO
2
is exposed to the air
is condensed moisture; not the gas itself. The issuing gas is invisible.
s
Never dispose of liquid CO
2
in confined areas or places where others
may enter.
Disposal of liquid CO
2
should be done outdoors in a safe place. Pour the
liquid slowly on gravel or bare earth where it can evaporate without
causing damage. Do not pour the liquid on pavement.