Thermo Scientific 8600 Series Operating And Maintenance Manual page 93

Handling Liquid CO
Appendix B 2
Warning High concentrations of CO
gas can cause asphyxiation! OSHA
2
Standards specify that employee exposure to carbon dioxide in any eight-
hour shift of a 40-hour work week shall not exceed the eight-hour time
weighted average of 5000 PPM (0.5% CO ). The short term exposure
2
limit for 15 minutes or less is 30,000 PPM (3% CO ). Carbon dioxide
2
monitors are recommended for confined areas where concentrations of
carbon dioxide gas can accumulate.
s
Store and use liquid CO only in a well-ventilated place.
2
As the liquid evaporates, the resulting gas tends to displace the normal air
from the area. In closed areas, excessive amounts of CO gas reduce the
2
concentration of oxygen and can result in asphyxiation. Because CO gas
2
is colorless, odorless and tasteless, it cannot be detected by the human
senses and will be breathed as if it were air. Breathing an atmosphere that
contains less than 18% oxygen can cause dizziness and quickly result in
unconsciousness and death.
Note The cloudy vapor that appears when liquid CO
is exposed to the air
2
is condensed moisture; not the gas itself. The issuing gas is invisible.
s
Never dispose of liquid CO in confined areas or places where others
2
may enter.
Disposal of liquid CO should be done outdoors in a safe place. Pour the
2
liquid slowly on gravel or bare earth where it can evaporate without
causing damage. Do not pour the liquid on pavement.
B-1 Model 8600 Series Thermo Scientific