Carbon dioxide (CO₂) – an invisible, odorless and life-threatening gas
Safety through precise CO₂ gas monitoring with Bieler+Lang
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a colorless and odorless gas that is widely used both in industry and in everyday life. It is used in beverage production, food storage, biogas plants, breweries, laboratories and refrigeration technology, among other things. Despite its apparent harmlessness, CO₂ can be life-threatening at high concentrations – and this can go completely unnoticed.
Toxic effect of CO₂ due to oxygen displacement – risk of suffocation without warning
Although CO₂ is not classically toxic, it is life-threatening due to the displacement of oxygen and the impairment of respiratory regulation. High CO₂ concentrations can cause the following symptoms:
- Headaches, dizziness and drowsiness
- Shortness of breath and unconsciousness
- Choking without prior warning signs
Important CO₂ limit values:
- 0.5% by volume (5,000 ppm): Long-term occupational exposure limit (OEL)
- Over 1 % by volume: Possible adverse health effects
- Over 5% by volume: Acutely life-threatening
- 8-10% by volume: Danger of death due to suffocation in a short time
Explosion hazard? No – but high risk of suffocation in enclosed spaces
Carbon dioxide is neither flammable nor explosive. The greatest danger is in poorly ventilated, confined spaces, where CO₂ collects on the floor due to its higher specific weight and reaches dangerous concentrations unnoticed.
Endangered areas are e.g:
- Beverage tanks and dispensing systems
- CO₂ storage and pressurized gas cylinder rooms
- Cold storage rooms and dry ice storage
- Biogas and fermentation plants
- Laboratories, silos and confined industrial facilities
Permanently installed CO₂ gas warning systems – life-saving safety for industrial and everyday applications
As CO₂ is invisible and odorless, gas detectors are indispensable for protecting people and the environment. Our CO₂ measuring systems offer:
- Early warning of dangerously high CO₂ levels
- Measurements from a few ppm to over 5 % by volume
- Audible and visual alarms when limit values are exceeded
- Automatic control of ventilation and safety systems
- Portable devices for mobile personal protection
- Stationary solutions for tank rooms, cooling zones and production areas
Precise CO₂ monitoring – protection through reliable and low-maintenance gas measurement
Whether for catering, food technology, laboratories or industrial applications – our CO₂ gas detectors are often standard-compliant and internationally certified, low-maintenance and flexibly scalable for every industry and application.
The following gas detectors and systems from Bieler+Lang can detect carbon dioxide (CO₂) quickly and reliably
We will be happy to advise you on the selection of suitable detectors and the corresponding controllers for your individual application.
