# Carbon Monoxide (CO) #gas-type #toxic-gas #safety Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, highly poisonous gas that can cause death at relatively low concentrations. ## Properties - Chemical formula: CO - Colorless - Odorless - Tasteless - Highly toxic - Flammable ## Toxicity - Concentrations as low as 50 ppm can be harmful or fatal - Prevents oxygen transport in blood - Causes headaches, dizziness, nausea - Can lead to unconsciousness and death - No warning signs (no smell, no color) ## Detection - Measured in PPM (parts per million) - Requires electrochemical sensors - Critical for indoor air quality - Important in combustion processes - May show cross-sensitivity to hydrogen, ammonia, or methane ## Sources - Incomplete combustion - Vehicle exhaust - Industrial processes - Heating systems - Confined spaces ## Safety Measures - Proper ventilation - CO detectors/alarms - Regular maintenance of combustion equipment - Worker awareness and training