An Evaluation

of a Workplace Hazard:
Carbon Monoxide

University of Central Florida,

Introduction to Industrial Hygiene
EIN 6264
April 1998
Submitted by,
Tim Wallace, R.S
timinator31@prodigy.net
Identification of Workplace
Hazard
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) = a chemical compound
consisting of one carbon and one oxygen.
• CO is a colorless and odorless gas at room
temperature. Therefore, it has no WARNING
properties!!!!
• The most likely route of exposure is through
inhalation.
Extent of Hazard-OSHA Says:
• “Some 2,000 persons a year are killed out
right by CO gas exposure”
• “At least 10,000 more workers suffer from
exposure to debilitating levels of CO”
• “One of the most dangerous industrial
hazards”
• “One of the most widespread”
Nature of Hazard

• Primarily known as • CO simply disrupts the

an asphixiant or oxygen transport to
chemical anoxiant. all tissues in the body.
This means that the
CO causes absence
• CO combines with
or abnormally low hemoglobin in blood
amounts of oxygen in to form
the body carboxyhemoglobin
(COHb)
Nature of Hazard II
• CO has an affinity for the oxygen binding site in the
blood; 200 times more so than oxygen
• Other Potential Hazards (Atypical): highly
flammable, may form explosive mixtures when
mixed in air, may react to finely dispersed metal
powders to form toxic and flammable carbonyls,
may react vigorously w/ oxygen, acetylene,
chlorine, fluorine, nitrous oxide.
• Other Physical Properties: BP -191ºC, MP -205°C,
Explosive Limits (volume % in air) 12.5-74.2
Health Effects (Target Organs
or Systems)

• Blood • Tissues with the

highest oxygen need
• Cardiovascular are first affected:
System
myocardium
• Lungs
brain
• Central Nervous
exercising muscles
System
Symptoms of Exposure

Headaches Rapid Nausea Weakness

breathing

Dizzyness Confusion Hallutionations Cyanosis

(bluish
discoloration)
Angina (severe Fainting Vomiting Fatigue
pain)

Depression of Diminished Coma Death

ST segment of mental &
EKG physical ablility
Particularly Susceptible
Populations
• Elderly
• Pregnant Women and Young Children
• Smokers
• Persons with existing illnesses: WHY???
a. cardiovascular disease (heart disease, coronary artery
disease)
b. pulmonary disease (asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis)
c. blood disorders (sickle cell anemia, lassemia, others)
Sources of CO
• Incomplete combustion of anything
containing carbon (fossil fuels, wood,
tobacco) - Especially high in exhaust from
internal combustion engines.
• CO is a metabolic product of methylene
chloride (common ingredient in paints and
solvents)
• may be be produced within the body by
catabolism (breakdown) of hemoglobin
Typical Occupations that May
Experience CO Hazard
• lawn care workers
• fire fighters
• janitorial staff
• garage mechanics • disaster relief workers
• aircraft refuelers • miners
• truck Drivers • parking garage
attendants
• Kiln and furnace
• toll collectors
operators
• agricultural workers
• forklift operators
Standard Methods of
Measurement/Assessment
• Direct reading CO Detector (electro-chemical
voltimetric sensor) - dataloger and
calibration to known gas concentration
required
• sampling with calibrated vacuum pump
through adsorption tube - laboratory analysis
• detector tubes certified by NIOSH
• all samples or measurements should be in the
worker’s “breathing zone”
Other Methods (EPA Outside
Air Methods)
• Gas Filter Correlation (GFC) - relies on
infrared absorbency properties of CO at
4.7, High accuracy, greater sensitivity,
more complex equipment, stationary
measurement
• Nondispersive Infrared (NDIR) - CO has a
characteristic spectrum that allows it to be
measured with reference to IR energy
absorbed. Sensitive to drift, allows
continuous datalogging, requires warm-up
time, operable by non-technical personnel
Applicable IH Standards
• ACGIH TLV=25 ppm TWA
• OSHA PEL=50 ppm
TWA • EPA NAAQS (Primary
Standard) for outside
• NIOSH REL=35 ppm air=9 ppm (TWA 8 hrs),
=35 ppm (TWA 1 hr).
TWA; 200 ppm
This was established to
ceiling protect public health
(susceptible populations)
• NIOSH IDLH=1,200
ppm
Still More TLV’s (International
Flavor)
• DFG MAK (Germany) • HSE OES (United
TWA = 30 ppm Kingdom)
PEAK = 60 ppm TWA = 50 ppm
(30 min) STEL = 300 ppm
• Japan (JSOH) • Reference: “TLVs
TWA = 50 ppm and Other
Occupational
Exposure Values”
Other Guidelines
• NRC (1987) EEGLs: • Canadian IAQ
10 min = 1,500 ppm Residential Exposure
30 min = 800 ppm 60 Guidelines: <11 ppm
min = 400 ppm 24 hrs for 8 hrs, <25 ppm
= 50 ppm for 1hr (ASTER)
• NRC = National
• WHO Concentration
Research Council
of Concern is >30
• EEGL is Emergency ppm
Exposure Guidance
Levels
CO Study, Occupation: Lawn
Care Worker
• My project was a • Mowed two properties.
simulation of lawn care • One property was
worker. approximately 1 acre
• 8 hour work day (~ 6 and was mowed with
hrs of mowing) push mower

• work equipment varied • 2nd property was

about 2.5 acres and
• some CO exposure was mowed by riding
expected mower
Specific Job Duties of Worker
During Study Period

• To operate gasoline powered mowers to

mow two properties
• Edging not included
• To obtain gas for mower if empty
Subject of Study:

• Question: Will CO Exposure exceed any

standards or guidelines during a simulated
average 8-hour work shift for an Lawn Care
Worker?
• There seems to be few published reports on
this type of a study. Some reports focus on
small gasoline engines used inside buildings
where the CO is easily concentrated.
Equipment in Use

• Push mower
• riding lawn tractor
• automobile (to move between sites)
IH Equipment Used for
Hazard Assessment

• Metrosonics PIM 1100 Industrial Hygiene

Personal Monitor - Courtesy of
Metrosonics, Inc.
CO Electrochemical Oxidation Sensor
with a Heat Stress Monitor (core
temperature and heart beats per minute)
with Noise monitor (slow, A-weight)
Findings

• Minimum 0 ppm
• Average 5 ppm
• Maximum 150 ppm
• 15 min STEL 13 ppm
• TWA 5 ppm
Comparison to Exposure
Guidelines and Standards
• The OSHA PEL TWA was not exceeded.
• The NIOSH REL TWA was not exceeded.
• The NIOSH Ceiling was not exceeded.
• The ACGIH TLV was not exceeded.
• None of the other suggested guidelines were
exceeded.
Comments on Data

• The momentary CO • Graph of Data

level measured (available as
during the start-up of handout)
the riding mower was
elevated, however • Breaks and Lunch are
the duration of the distinct on data
exposure was short. graph
Possible CO Hazard Control
Measures (if needed)
• Eliminate - ex. Substitute gas mower with
electric or manual mower.
• Control Source - ex. Adjust equipment to
control emissions (catalytic converters) or
improve efficiency of combustion process
• Apply appropriate ventilation or exhaust
mechanism (only inside enclosures), ensure
proper operation of exhausts
More CO Hazard Control
Measures

• Provide appropriate personal protective

equipment (PPE) to workers, when
sources can not be controlled or
eliminated and levels are suspected as
hazardous. SCBA (NIOSH specified) is
often specified. Definitely applies to
fire/rescue personnel.
Summary of Key Points

• Carbon Monoxide • CO did not seem to be

exposure is a serious a serious hazard during
health and safety normal mowing
hazard. operations.
• If CO levels were high
• CO is especially a and exceeded
hazard in enclosed applicable TLVs, Control
spaces measures could be
effectively instituted.
Conclusion: No CO Standards
or Guidelines Exceeded
• If this simulation was representative of a
normal workday of a lawn care worker,
then it appears that CO does not pose a
serious threat to normal healthy adults.
• It is conceivable that that these low level
exposures may cause measurable effects
in susceptible individuals. More data is
needed.
Note: Other Potential
Hazards Associated w/
Featured Occupation
• Heat Stress • UV radiation
exposure
• Noise/Vibration
• exposure to
• Injuries (overturned bioaerosols (mold
tractors, cuts, eye spores, pollen) - a
injuries, thrown problem for
debris) asthmatics and
• fire (burns) allergy sufferers
Note: CO can be a Hazard in
Nonoccupational Settings

• Schools
• Homes
• Commuting
• Hospitals
• Nursing Homes
Electronic Resources

• Internet:
– www.osha.gov/
– www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html
– www.epa.gov/iaq/
– www.safety-fl.org/
– www.acgih.org/
Acknowledgements

• Thanks goes to:

– Jennifer, Ed Williams
and Mary Gestaldi for
use of their property
(land and work
equipment)
– James Slattery from
Metrosonics, Inc. for
use of IH equipment