At what concentration does carbon monoxide exposure result in headache, dizziness, sickness within 5 minutes, and fatality within 15 minutes? 1. 12,800 ppm 2. 3,200 ppm 3. 400 ppm 4. 800 ppm
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is: 4. 800 ppm
Explanation:
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and highly toxic gas produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels. Its toxicity arises because CO binds strongly to hemoglobin in the blood, forming carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), which reduces oxygen delivery to tissues.
At 800 parts per million (ppm) concentration of CO, symptoms become rapidly severe:
- Within 5 minutes, exposure to 800 ppm can cause headache, dizziness, nausea, and general sickness. This happens because CO quickly binds to hemoglobin, reducing oxygen transport and leading to tissue hypoxia (oxygen deficiency).
- Within 15 minutes, continued exposure at this level can be fatal due to the critical lack of oxygen reaching vital organs such as the brain and heart.
Lower concentrations cause symptoms more slowly or less severely:
- At 400 ppm, symptoms like headache and dizziness develop after about 1 to 2 hours.
- Higher concentrations like 3,200 ppm or 12,800 ppm lead to even faster onset of severe symptoms and death, but these levels are much less commonly encountered in typical accidental exposures.
Why 800 ppm is critical:
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other health agencies highlight that 800 ppm is extremely dangerous.
- CO at 800 ppm displaces oxygen on hemoglobin approximately 200 times more effectively than oxygen, leading to rapid tissue hypoxia.
- Brain and heart cells are highly sensitive to oxygen deprivation, and damage or death can occur quickly.
Summary:
- At 800 ppm, symptoms develop within minutes (headache, dizziness, nausea).
- Fatality can occur in about 15 minutes with continued exposure.
- This concentration represents an acute poisoning level requiring immediate evacuation and medical treatment, such as oxygen therapy.
If you want, I can also explain CO poisoning symptoms at different concentrations or how to protect against it.