By Marketing on Mar 15 in Blog.
Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are often confused or used beside each other. But there is a big difference between carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. With the pandemic of COVID-19 and the prevention of aerosols being spread, ventilation has become a
commonly used advice by doctors, governments and health organisations. The measurement of carbon dioxide (CO2) by CO2 meters has become a significant factor in the ventilation advice. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a smell and colourless gas with a density of about 60% higher than dry air. Carbon
dioxide is the gross formula of an inorganic connection between oxygen and carbon. Although carbon dioxide mostly comes in a gas structure, it also has a liquid and a solid form. CO2 can only be liquid if the temperature is below -78 degrees Celsius. Liquid Carbon Dioxide happens when Carbon Dioxide is dissolved in water. Without CO2, life on earth would not be possible. More information about carbon dioxide? Read our blog on
3 things to know about carbon dioxideWhat is Carbon dioxide?
What is Carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, flammable gas that is slightly less dense than air. Carbon monoxide is toxic to animals that use haemoglobin as an oxygen carrier (both invertebrate and vertebrate) when encountered in concentrations above 35 ppm. However, it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities and is thought to have some normal biological functions. In the atmosphere, CO is spatially variable and short-lived, having a role in forming ground-level ozone.
When exposed to too much carbon monoxide, you can have the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Lightheadedness
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Stomach ache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion
- Blurred vision
- Loss of consciousness
The difference between Carbon dioxide and Carbon monoxide
The difference between carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) is that:
- Carbon monoxide (co) is a flammable gas. Carbon dioxide is not.
- Carbon monoxide (co) is a fatal gas for humans and animals.
- Carbon dioxide (co2) is the gas that humans in- and exhale.
- Both gasses are odourless, and cant be smelled
Most people have a basic understanding of chemistry, which is why there is some confusion for the average person when it comes to recognizing carbon monoxide from carbon dioxide. While the two substances share a common bond through carbon, they have different chemical properties and physical characteristics that distinguish them. They also pose different threats to human health, which can be important to consider when deciding which gas detection system best meets your needs.
Whether you need a CO2 gas detector or CO gas detector depends on your industry and the gas present creating a potential workplace hazard. The disparity between the two chemicals is more than the simple presence of a single oxygen atom, and some of those properties can have an impact on employee safety.
Chemical Differences
CO2 and CO are similar in that they both feature bonds between carbon atoms and oxygen atoms. However, carbon monoxide features a molecule consisting of one carbon atom bonded
to one oxygen atom in a triple covalent bond. Carbon dioxide features a carbon atom bonded with two oxygen atoms with a regular covalent bond to form a molecule. Carbon dioxide is produced when complete combustion occurs. That means that a hydrocarbon is involved in a chemical reaction with water, and the result is a carbon dioxide molecule and a water molecule. Carbon monoxide is produced by incomplete combustion, which occurs when there’s a limited amount of available air that restricts the
molecule to a single oxygen atom.
Where It Occurs
Another difference between the two chemical compounds is their natural occurrence. Carbon dioxide is a key component in the Earth’s atmosphere and is critical for the biological processes of all plant life. It’s naturally present in the atmosphere and stems from both natural processes and human activity, as people and animals breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Carbon monoxide, however, isn’t naturally present
in the atmosphere. It doesn’t survive in the atmosphere for long because, unlike carbon dioxide, it’s vulnerable to oxidation processes. Once created, it can accumulate in enclosed spaces and remain there for some time if not vented.
Physical Properties
Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide do share some common physical properties, though with two notable differences. Both gases are invisible, colorless, odorless, and tasteless. However, the primary difference in physical
properties is that carbon dioxide is nonflammable. In fact, a flame will cease to burn in the presence of carbon dioxide. Carbon monoxide is considered flammable and will burn in the presence of flame. Also, carbon dioxide is considered a nonpoisonous gas, while carbon dioxide is poisonous and potentially lethal.
Health Hazards
Another key point of differentiation between carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide is the risk they pose to human health. Carbon dioxide is
generally considered a safe gas because it’s a natural by-product of the process of respiration. That said, there have been rare cases in which carbon dioxide can build up in an enclosed space and pose a risk for suffocation since it takes up the space that would normally be held by oxygen. Excess carbon dioxide exposure can cause headaches and dizziness. Carbon monoxide, however, is dangerous in any concentration or exposure. When inhaled, carbon monoxide binds to the hemoglobin that would
usually transport oxygen to the tissues in the body. That prevents tissues from being adequately oxygenated, which leads to slow suffocation. Because the gas is undetectable with the five senses, many who are exposed don’t know they’re being poisoned. Symptoms of exposure include headache and listlessness.
While carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are only separated chemically by the presence of an oxygen atom, they pose different threat levels in a workplace environment and have many varying properties that distinguish them. DOD Technologies values the safety of all personnel and work environments by offering a variety of portable and fixed gas detection systems for your needs. Do you have a question regarding CO2 or CO in your application? With more than 150 years of combined instrumentation and application knowledge, DOD Technologies is prepared to offer its expertise and solutions for your toughest requirements while keeping you, your employees, and your equipment safe.
Contact us today via phone at (815) 788-5200 or through our web form.