Carbon monoxide

Synonyms & Trade Names

Carbon oxide, Flue gas, Monoxide

Physical Description

Colorless, odorless gas. [Note: Shipped as a nonliquefied or liquefied compressed gas.]

Incompatibilities & Reactivities

Strong oxidizers, bromine trifluoride, chlorine trifluoride, lithium

Symptoms

headache, tachypnea, nausea, lassitude (weakness, exhaustion), dizziness, confusion, hallucinations; cyanosis; depressed S-T segment of electrocardiogram, angina, syncope

Respirator Recommendations

NIOSH

Up to 350 ppm:
(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator

Up to 875 ppm:
(APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode

Up to 1200 ppm:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern†
(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece

Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus

Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern†
Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus

Important additional information about respirator selection