No metadata available
Chemical Identity
CAS Number
630-08-0
Formula
CO
Molecular Weight
28.01 g/mol
Exposure Limits Comparison
Health Effects
Asphyxiation
Yes
Cardiovascular Effects
Yes
Headache
Yes
Dizziness
Yes
Fatal At High Dose
Yes
Todd DunningMAUnited States
Optical Materials for Laser SystemsPublished
Jan 6, 2026
Carbon Monoxide Compound
Carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas, forms primarily through incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels in processes like engine operation or heating systems, and it poses serious exposure risks by binding tightly to blood hemoglobin, which blocks oxygen delivery and leads to asphyxiation symptoms. Practitioners typically address these hazards by setting up proper ventilation systems, installing reliable detection alarms, and running through regular safety checks to maintain safe environments, while the key point remains avoiding enclosed spaces where buildup can occur easily. Overall, handling this compound demands careful monitoring and quick response protocols to prevent incidents, ensuring teams line up effective controls that hold up under daily use.
Chemical Properties
Detection Monitoring
- SensorTypes
- Electrochemical (most common)
- Infrared (NDIR)
- Semiconductor
- Biomimetic gel (color change)
- DetectionRange
- 0-300 ppm typical, 0-1000 ppm extended, 0-2000 ppm for rescue
- AlarmSetpoints
- Low
- 35 ppm (NIOSH REL)
- High
- 200 ppm (NIOSH Ceiling)
- Evacuate
- 1200 ppm (NIOSH IDLH)
- ColorimetricTubes
- Dräger CH25701
- Gastec 1LC/1LB
- Kitagawa 106SD
- AnalyticalMethods
Method Technique DetectionLimit NIOSH 6604 GC-FID or electrochemical sensor 0.03 ppm OSHA ID-209 GC-TCD (thermal conductivity) 2 ppm - OdorThreshold
- NO ODOR - Cannot be detected by smell. MUST use electronic monitors. Odorless nature makes CO extremely dangerous.
Environmental Impact
- AquaticToxicity
- Low direct toxicity to aquatic life. LC50 (fish): >100 mg/L. Rapidly escapes to atmosphere from water.
- Biodegradability
- Not biodegradable in conventional sense. Oxidizes to CO2 in atmosphere.
- Bioaccumulation
- No bioaccumulation potential. Does not persist in environment.
- SoilMobility
- Not applicable - gas escapes to atmosphere immediately.
- AtmosphericFate
- Oxidizes to CO2 via hydroxyl radical reaction. Atmospheric lifetime: 1-2 months. Contributes to tropospheric ozone formation.
- OzoneDepletion
- false
- GlobalWarmingPotential
- Indirect effect via methane oxidation, but negligible GWP itself
- ReportableReleases
- Water
- Not reportable (low aquatic persistence)
- Air
- State-dependent. Many states require reporting large releases (e.g., >100 lbs/hr in some jurisdictions)
Ppe Requirements
- Respiratory
- NIOSH-approved full-face pressure-demand SCBA or supplied-air respirator with escape bottle for IDLH conditions. Continuous flow supplied-air for <1200 ppm.
- Eye Protection
- Safety glasses. Face shield if handling compressed gas cylinders.
- Skin Protection
- Protective gloves not normally required for gas (required for compressed gas cylinders). Thermal protection if handling cryogenic liquid.
Reactivity
- Stability
- Stable under normal conditions.
- Polymerization
- Will not occur.
- IncompatibleMaterials
- Strong oxidizers (oxygen, halogens, fluorine, chlorine)
- Silver oxide
- Iron oxide
- Bromine trifluoride
- Nickel carbonyl (forms at high temperature)
- HazardousDecomposition
- Carbon dioxide
- Oxygen (incomplete combustion may regenerate CO)
- ConditionsToAvoid
- Heat
- Open flames
- Sparks
- Oxidizers
- High temperatures
- Confined spaces without ventilation
- ReactivityHazard
- Reacts violently with strong oxidizers. May form explosive mixtures with air (12.5-74%). Reacts with heated iron to form toxic iron carbonyl.
Regulatory Classification
- UnNumber
- UN1016
- DotHazardClass
- 2.3 (Poisonous gas), 2.1 (Flammable gas)
- DotLabel
- Poison Gas, Flammable Gas
- NfpaCodes
- Health
- 3
- Flammability
- 4
- Reactivity
- 0
- Instability
- 0
- EpaHazardCategories
- Acute toxicity (inhalation)
- Flammable gases
- Gases under pressure
- Reproductive toxicity
- Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure)
- SaraTitleIii
- false
- CerclaRq
- Not listed (gas, difficult to quantify releases)
- RcraCode
- Not listed as hazardous waste
Contaminants That Produce Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide is generated during incomplete combustion of carbonaceous residues. Laser ablation of paint, grease, oil, and organic residues on ferrous and non-ferrous metals produces CO as a primary gaseous byproduct. Enclosed cleaning environments require CO monitoring and ventilation to maintain safe working concentrations below OSHA PEL of 50 ppm TWA.
No metadata available
Diamond-Like Carbon Removal
No metadata available
Bitumen and Tar Coatings
No metadata available
Carbon Deposit Buildup
No metadata available
Carbon Soot Deposits
No metadata available
Epoxy Resin Deposits
No metadata available
Graphite Deposit Traces
No metadata available
Heat Treatment Scale
Chemical Properties
Molecular formula, CAS number, molecular weight, and chemical structure
- Type
- chemical_properties
- Id
- carbon-monoxide-physical-data
Physical Properties
Chemical and physical characteristics
- BoilingPoint
- -191.5°C (-312.7°F)
- MeltingPoint
- -205.1°C (-337.2°F)
- VaporPressure
- >760 mmHg @ 20°C (gas at normal temperature)
- VaporDensity
- 0.968 (Air=1)
- SpecificGravity
- 0.791 @ -191.5°C (liquid)
- FlashPoint
- Not applicable (gas)
- AutoignitionTemp
- 609°C (1128°F)
- ExplosiveLimits
- LEL: 12.5%, UEL: 74%
- Appearance
- Colorless gas
- Odor
- Odorless - Cannot be detected by smell (DANGEROUS!)
Alternative Names
Synonyms and chemical identifiers
- Synonyms
- Carbon oxide
- Carbonic oxide
- Flue gas
- Exhaust gas
- CO
- CommonTradeNames
- OtherIdentifiers
- RtecsNumberFG3500000EcNumber211-128-3PubchemCid281
Health Effects
Adverse health impacts from exposure to this compound
- Route
- inhalation
- Effect
- Formation of carboxyhemoglobin leading to tissue hypoxia and impaired oxygen delivery
- Severity
- severe
- Onset
- immediate
- Route
- inhalation
- Effect
- Headache, dizziness, and confusion
- Severity
- moderate
- Onset
- short-term
- Route
- inhalation
- Effect
- Nausea, vomiting, and weakness
- Severity
- moderate
- Onset
- short-term
- Route
- inhalation
- Effect
- Loss of consciousness and potential death at high concentrations
- Severity
- severe
- Onset
- immediate
- Route
- eye_contact
- Effect
- Mild irritation
- Severity
- low
- Onset
- immediate
Personal Protective Equipment
Required safety equipment for handling this compound
- Respiratory
- NIOSH-approved full-face pressure-demand SCBA or supplied-air respirator with escape bottle for IDLH conditions. Continuous flow supplied-air for <1200 ppm.
- Skin
- Protective gloves not normally required for gas (required for compressed gas cylinders). Thermal protection if handling cryogenic liquid.
- Eye
- Safety glasses. Face shield if handling compressed gas cylinders.
- MinimumLevel
- Level B for confined spaces/unknown concentrations, Level C with supplied air for known concentrations <1200 ppm
- SpecialNotes
- CO is an asphyxiant - displaces oxygen. SCBA required in oxygen-deficient atmospheres (<19.5% O2). Detector badges provide no respiratory protection.
Exposure Limits
OSHA, NIOSH, and ACGIH exposure thresholds
- OshaPelPpm
- 50
- OshaPelMgM3
- 55
- NioshRelPpm
- 35
- NioshRelMgM3
- 40
- AcgihTlvPpm
- 25
- AcgihTlvMgM3
- 29
- WorkplaceExposure
- OshaPeltwa8Hr: 50 ppmstel15Min: nullceiling: 200 ppmNioshReltwa8Hr: 35 ppmstel15Min: nullceiling: 200 ppmidlh: 1200 ppmAcgihTlvtwa8Hr: 25 ppmstel15Min: nullceiling: nullBiologicalExposureIndices0: [object Object]
Storage Requirements
Safe storage conditions and compatibility
- TemperatureRange
- Store compressed gas cylinders below 52°C (125°F)
- Ventilation
- Outdoor storage preferred. If indoors: continuous mechanical ventilation, gas detection system with alarms
- Incompatibilities
- Strong oxidizers
- Oxygen
- Air (explosive mixtures)
- Chlorine
- Fluorine
- Nitrous oxide
- ContainerMaterial
- DOT-approved compressed gas cylinders (steel, aluminum). Do not transfer to unauthorized containers.
- Segregation
- Separate from oxygen cylinders by 20 feet or 5-foot non-combustible barrier. Store in dedicated gas cylinder storage.
- QuantityLimits
- Per 29 CFR 1910.253: Maximum 300 cubic feet indoors, unlimited outdoors with proper segregation
- SpecialRequirements
- Secure cylinders to prevent falling. Store upright. Cap cylinders when not in use. Post "CARBON MONOXIDE - POISON GAS" signs. Implement gas detection systems.
Emergency Response
Procedures for spills, exposure, and incidents
- FireHazard
- Extremely flammable gas. Wide flammability range. Vapors lighter than air but may accumulate in low areas. Cylinders may rupture in fire.
- FireSuppression
- Do not extinguish burning gas unless flow can be stopped. Use water spray to cool cylinders. Use dry chemical or CO2 for surrounding fires.
- SpillProcedures
- Evacuate area immediately. Eliminate ignition sources. Ventilate area or move containers to safe area. Stop leak if safe to do so. Monitor with CO detectors.
- ExposureImmediateActions
- Remove to fresh air IMMEDIATELY. Administer 100% oxygen by tight-fitting mask. If breathing stopped, give artificial respiration. Seek immediate medical attention. Consider hyperbaric oxygen therapy for severe exposures.
- EnvironmentalHazards
- Negligible environmental persistence - rapidly disperses and oxidizes to CO2. Primary hazard is asphyxiation, not environmental contamination.
- SpecialHazards
- Odorless, colorless - cannot detect without monitors. Binds to hemoglobin 200-250x more strongly than oxygen, causing tissue hypoxia. Delayed neurological effects possible.
Regulatory Classification
DOT, UN, and NFPA hazard classifications
- UnNumber
- UN1016
- DotHazardClass
- 2.3 (Poisonous gas), 2.1 (Flammable gas)
- DotLabel
- Poison Gas, Flammable Gas
- NfpaCodes
- Health3Flammability4Reactivity0SpecialnullInstability0
- EpaHazardCategories
- Acute toxicity (inhalation)
- Flammable gases
- Gases under pressure
- Reproductive toxicity
- Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure)
- SaraTitleIii
- false
- CerclaRq
- Not listed (gas, difficult to quantify releases)
- RcraCode
- Not listed as hazardous waste
Environmental Impact
Toxicity, biodegradability, and environmental fate
- AquaticToxicity
- Low direct toxicity to aquatic life. LC50 (fish): >100 mg/L. Rapidly escapes to atmosphere from water.
- Biodegradability
- Not biodegradable in conventional sense. Oxidizes to CO2 in atmosphere.
- Bioaccumulation
- No bioaccumulation potential. Does not persist in environment.
- SoilMobility
- Not applicable - gas escapes to atmosphere immediately.
- AtmosphericFate
- Oxidizes to CO2 via hydroxyl radical reaction. Atmospheric lifetime: 1-2 months. Contributes to tropospheric ozone formation.
- OzoneDepletion
- false
- GlobalWarmingPotential
- Indirect effect via methane oxidation, but negligible GWP itself
- ReportableReleases
- WaterNot reportable (low aquatic persistence)AirState-dependent. Many states require reporting large releases (e.g., >100 lbs/hr in some jurisdictions)
FAQ
Common Questions and Answers
What protection methods should laser cleaning operators use to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) exposure?
- Always work in well-ventilated areas or use local exhaust ventilation systems to dilute and remove CO generated from material vaporization during laser cleaning. Wear a respirator with an appropriate cartridge (e.g., NIOSH-approved for organic vapors and acid gases) if ventilation is inadequate, and ensure personal CO monitors or alarms are worn to provide real-time detection. Regularly maintain equipment to minimize incomplete combustion sources, and follow OSHA's permissible exposure limit of 50 ppm over an 8-hour workday to avoid symptoms like headaches or dizziness.
Detection & Monitoring
Methods for detecting and measuring this compound
- SensorTypes
- Electrochemical (most common)
- Infrared (NDIR)
- Semiconductor
- Biomimetic gel (color change)
- DetectionRange
- 0-300 ppm typical, 0-1000 ppm extended, 0-2000 ppm for rescue
- AlarmSetpoints
- Low35 ppm (NIOSH REL)High200 ppm (NIOSH Ceiling)Evacuate1200 ppm (NIOSH IDLH)
- ColorimetricTubes
- Dräger CH25701
- Gastec 1LC/1LB
- Kitagawa 106SD
- AnalyticalMethods
- [object Object]
- [object Object]
- OdorThreshold
- NO ODOR - Cannot be detected by smell. MUST use electronic monitors. Odorless nature makes CO extremely dangerous.
Reactivity
Chemical reactivity and incompatibilities
- Stability
- Stable under normal conditions.
- Polymerization
- Will not occur.
- IncompatibleMaterials
- Strong oxidizers (oxygen, halogens, fluorine, chlorine)
- Silver oxide
- Iron oxide
- Bromine trifluoride
- Nickel carbonyl (forms at high temperature)
- HazardousDecomposition
- Carbon dioxide
- Oxygen (incomplete combustion may regenerate CO)
- ConditionsToAvoid
- Heat
- Open flames
- Sparks
- Oxidizers
- High temperatures
- Confined spaces without ventilation
- ReactivityHazard
- Reacts violently with strong oxidizers. May form explosive mixtures with air (12.5-74%). Reacts with heated iron to form toxic iron carbonyl.
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