What Level of CO2 Is Dangerous? 4 Solutions to Reducing It
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas made from one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. It's also a leading cause of poor IAQ, or indoor air quality.
CO2 is emitted whenever plants or animals breathe, so its presence is a normal part of nature. However, it's also released by certain human activities, such as cooking, smoking, and breathing (we're animals, too). When these things happen in a closed indoor space with low ventilation rates, you may start to see dangerous CO2 levels.
Since it occurs naturally but can also be harmful, it's reasonable to ask: What level of CO2 is harmful to humans? This is why government institutions such as OSHA set limits on how much CO2 is acceptable in a given environment. There's little need to worry as long as you take certain precautions and monitor CO2 levels efficiently. Continue reading to learn more about CO2 and what you can do to mitigate it.
Understanding CO2 Levels
CO2 is measured in ppm, or parts per million. The higher this number, the higher concentration of carbon dioxide in the air.
If you have a jar of air that has carbon dioxide levels of 400 ppm, then 400/1,000,000 of that air is CO2. Simplified, that's 1/2,500. That's how little of our air usually contains CO2, but it's okay to have a little more.
Now, let's answer that question: What is a dangerous level of CO2?
Normal CO2 Levels
While 400 ppm is the natural standard, 800 ppm is considered a safe level of carbon dioxide. Larger areas such as offices and schools can go up to 1,000 ppm without a risk of health effects.
Dangerous CO2 Levels
Air that has CO2 levels over 1,000 ppm may seem stuffy. The higher it gets, the worse the effects will be. 5,000 ppm is the hard limit set by OSHA for an eight-hour work day. Any higher than that, and there's a serious risk of asphyxia and death. 10,000 ppm is considered severe, and 40,000 is critical.
Why Is It Important to Measure CO2 Levels?
High levels of carbon dioxide don't just create stuffy air; they can impact human health in a bad way. This is why it's important to monitor your IAQ and have a plan to deal with high CO2 levels.
Short-Term Health Effects
Once you get past 1,000 ppm, you may begin to experience headaches, drowsiness, and nausea, making it harder to focus. At higher levels, you may even notice a change in heart rate or blood pressure.
Long-Term Health Risks
Your brain needs air, and depriving it of the air it needs isn't good. Doing so repeatedly can lead to permanent damage to the brain, bones, and kidneys. As with any brain damage, death is possible. Elevated levels of CO2 can even affect the unborn fetus of pregnant women.
Factors Influencing Indoor CO2 Levels
High carbon dioxide concentrations can be caused by one thing or many things. Here are the primary culprits:
Occupancy: CO2 is released when we breathe, so the more breathing people there are, the more CO2 there is to contend with. This is especially true in smaller spaces.
Ventilation: Without adequate ventilation, CO2-filled air has nowhere to go and will continue to effect those who breathe it.
Building Characteristics: Certain things, such as the layout of the building or how high the ceiling is, can affect the flow of air.
Environmental Factors: Soil can trap CO2 emitted by decaying plants, releasing it into the air nearby, or even directly into your basement.
Time and Usage Patterns: Certain indoor activities can generate more CO2, especially over a long period of time. Furthermore, older buildings are less likely to have up-to-date HVAC systems.
How to Mitigate Indoors CO2 Levels
Now that we know what level of CO2 is dangerous, let's delve into something more uplifting: what you can do about it! Here are some tips on how to help your building, and the people in it, breathe easy:
Monitor Indoor CO2 Levels
Frequently checking CO2 levels can alert you to patterns as well as sudden spikes. It can also help you learn where CO2 tends to generate and concentrate in your space. Make use of sensors that can be placed strategically and give you accurate readings.
Increase Ventilation
The best way to deal with dirty air is to change it out for clean air. Make sure CO2 has a way to leave your building so that it won't build up. Be sure to clean your HVAC systems on a regular basis so they can continue to do their job. Opening a window may also be an option if the air outside is clean enough.
Manage CO2 Sources
Indoor CO2 sources include gas stoves, cigarettes, fireplaces, and, of course, people. Consider improving ventilation around areas that tend to rack up CO2, or perform some activities, such as smoking, elsewhere. This may be a good time to consider an upgrade to an electric stove.
Consider Air Purifiers
There are lots of different air purifiers, but if CO2 is your main concern, activated carbon is the way to go. These handy devices suck gases into themselves and trap it in a replaceable filter. They work great, but be sure to change them out once in a while.
Manage Your IAQ With Attune
While CO2 can be harmful if left unchecked, there are plenty of ways to deal with it. The best solutions are to apply proper filtration and remove the source when possible.
There's just one problem: it's invisible! So while you can guess where it might be based on the layout and contents of your space, it may be creeping in places you don't expect.
For tracking down air pollutants like CO2, there's no better option than Attune. Our monitoring system comes with sensors for you to place all around your indoor space. They'll pick up any CO2 lurking around and send accurate measurements to our cloud-based app. What's better than that? Oh yeah, doing the same with temperature, humidity, VOCs, and more. We handle that too.
When dealing with CO2, knowledge is power. Arm yourself with the knowledge Attune provides by scheduling a demo today.
