EFFECTS OF CARBON MONOXIDE
As a guide, the following levels are often quoted in the United Kingdom:
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Symptoms
Time exposed
ppm CO
50
N/A
200
2 - 3 hours
400
1 - 2 hours
800
45 minutes
Safety level as specified by
the Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) in the UK
Slight headache, some may
experience slight dizziness,
nausea, chest tightness, fatigue,
lack of concentration, memory loss
Headache worsening to a severe
headache with prolonged exposure,
dizziness, nausea, fatigue, tightness
across the chest, memory loss, lack
of concentration
Headache, dizziness, nausea,
convulsions within 45 minutes.
Unconscious within 2 hours.
Death can occur within 2 - 3 hours
Note
ppm is an abbreviation of the industry term, parts per million – if a gas
is measured at 100ppm, there is a concentration of one-hundred parts
to one-million parts of other gases (usually free air).
Carbon Monoxide effects are dependent on time and
this should be considered at all times in any project
involving measurement of this gas. A large amount of
Carbon Monoxide over a short time will kill you, but
exposure to a small amount of CO over a longer period
of time may have a considerable effect and could cause
long term health problems.
The effect of Carbon Monoxide exposure varies greatly
from person to person, depending on age, overall health,
concentration of exposure, and length of exposure.
Persons suffering from any health problems, the elderly,
children and babies, pregnant women and pets can be
affected by Carbon Monoxide poisoning more rapidly
than others. These groups may experience symptoms
sooner than others.
Each country or region has differing views and opinions
on what are considered safe or dangerous levels of
Carbon Monoxide. It is the responsibility of the
OM-EL-USB-CO or OM-EL-USB-CO300 user to ensure that
the best advice is taken and, where applicable, suitable
levels respected. People who spend a lot of time in
indoor areas are more likely to be exposed to any lower
levels of potentially dangerous Carbon Monoxide over
time. This is true whether measuring at a home, work-
place, boiler room or any other area.
The levels at which Carbon Monoxide (CO) affect humans will vary from person to person.
How to care for your Carbon Monoxide (CO) Data Logger
To keep your Carbon Monoxide Data Logger in good working order,
follow these simple steps:
• Regularly check LED operation and battery.
• Regularly check that the grill is clear of any obstructions.
• Sensor life is 4 years. Once this time has expired replace the unit
.
What you should NOT do
•
DO NOT
use near solvents, chemicals,
aerosol sprays and alcohol based products
•
DO NOT
ignore the indicators. The alert
could be warning you of high levels of CO
•
DO NOT
install in excessively dusty, dirty
or greasy areas such as kitchens, garages
and furnace rooms. Dust, grease or
household chemicals can contaminate or
coat the data logger’s sensor causing the
logger not to operate properly
•
DO NOT
obstruct the grill located at the
base of the data logger. Place the data
logger where furniture or other objects do
not obstruct the flow of air to the sensor
•
DO NOT
continue to use if the sensor is
out of date
•
DO NOT
ignore any warning messages
in the software
Battery Replacement
• We recommend that you replace the battery every 3 months, prior
to logging critical data, or if the sounder has activated.
• The OM-EL-USB-CO or
OM-EL-USB-CO300
does not lose its stored read-
ings when the battery is discharged or when the battery is replaced;
the data logging process will however be stopped and cannot be re-
started until the battery has been replaced and the logged data has
been downloaded to PC.
• Only use OM-EL-BATT replacement batteries
Note
Leaving the OM-EL-USB-CO or OM-EL-USB-CO300 plugged into the USB port for
longer than necessary will cause some of the battery capacity to be lost.
