Carbon Monoxide Levels & Risks
| 
 CO Level 
 | 
 Action 
 | 
 
| 
 1-4 ppm 
 | 
 Normal levels in human tissues produced by body. 
 | 
 
| 
 3-7 ppm 
 | 
14% increase in the rate of admission in hospitals of non-elderly for asthma. ( Sheppard-1999)  
 | 
 
| 
 5-6 ppm 
 | 
Significant risk of low birth rate if exposed during last trimester ( Ritz & Yu-1999)  
 | 
 
| 
 5 ppm 
 | 
 | 
 
| 
 9 ppm 
 | 
ASHRAE standard for allowable spillage from vented appliances, indoors, for 8 hours exposure daily. EPA standard for outdoors for 8 hours and a maximum 3 times per year. ( Clean Air Act)  
 | 
 
| 
 10 ppm 
 | 
Outdoor level of CO found associated with a significant increase in heart disease deaths and hospital admissions for congestive heart failure. ( JAMA, Penny) lst ambient level occupants should be notified-NCI Protocol  
 | 
 
| 
 15-20 ppm 
 | 
 First level World Health Organization lists as causing impaired performance, decrease in exercise time and vigilance. 1st Alarm level for NSI 3000 Low Level CO Monitor-5 minutes 
 | 
 
| 
 25 ppm 
 | 
 Maximum allowable in a Parking Garage (International Mechanical Code) 
 | 
 
| 
 27 ppm 
 | 
 21% increase in cardio respiratory complaints (Kurt-1978) 
 | 
 
| 
 30 ppm 
 | 
 Earliest onset of exercise-induced angina (World Health Organization). 1st visual display on UL2034 approved CO Alarm-Must not alarm before 30 days 
 | 
 
| 
 35 ppm 
 | 
US  NIOSH recommended 8 hour maximum workplace exposure. EPA standard for outdoors for 1 hour and a maximum of 1 time per year. Many fire departments wear breathing apparatus before entering 2nd ambient level. Occupants should be notified and space ventilated. 2nd Alarm level for NSI 3000 Low Level Monitor-5 minutes  
 | 
 
 
 | 
 | 
| 
 CO Level 
 | 
 Action 
 | 
 
| 
 50 ppm 
 | 
US OSHA recommended 8 hour maximum workplace exposure Maximum NCI level for Unvented appliances  
 | 
 
| 
 70 ppm 
 | 
1st Alarm level of UL2034 approved CO Alarms- 2-4 hours 3rd Alarm level for NSI 3000 – 30 seconds  NSI 3000 Low Level Monitor cannot be silenced by reset button  
 | 
 
| 
 100 ppm 
 | 
 Maximum NCI CO level during run cycle in all vented appliances(stable) Maximum NCI CO for all oil appliances 
 | 
 
| 
 200 ppm 
 | 
 First listed level(established in 1930) healthy adults will have symptoms-headaches, nausea NIOSH & OSHA recommend evacuation of workplace Maximum “Air Free” CO for vented water heater and unvented heaters (ANSI Z21) UL approved alarms must sound between 30 – 60 minutes(NSI 3000 – 30 seconds) 
 | 
 
| 
 400 ppm 
 | 
 Healthy adults will have headaches within 1-2 hours. Life threatening after 3 hours Maximum “Air Free” CO in all vented heating appliances (ANSI Z21) Maximum EPA levels for industrial flue exhaust UL Alarms must alarm within 15 minutes (NSI 3000 – 30 seconds) Maximum recommended light-off CO for all appliances – NCI (except oil) 
 | 
 
| 
 800 ppm 
 | 
 Healthy adults will have nausea, dizziness, convulsions within 45 minutes. Unconscious within 2 hours then Death (established in 1930). Maximum “Air Free” CO for unvented gas ovens (ANSI Z21) 800 ppm+ Death in less than one hour 
 | 
 
| 
 2000 ppm 
 | 
 EPA standard for new vehicle emissions 
 | 
 
| 
 3000 ppm+ 
 | 
 Typical emissions from propane lift trucks, gasoline powered tools etc. Death in less than 30 minutes. 
 | 
 
| 
 | 
 
 
 | 
PPM = parts per million. A measure of pollutant concentration. Parts of pollutant per million parts of air.