CARBON DIOXIDE

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: Carbon Dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas, or a colorless, odorless liquid in a high-pressure container. Over-exposure to Carbon Dioxide can increase respiration and heart rate, possibly resulting in circulatory insufficiency, which may lead to coma and death. At concentrations between 2 and 10%, Carbon Dioxide can cause nausea, dizziness, headache, mental confusion, increased blood pressure and respiratory rate. Exposure to Carbon Dioxide can also cause asphyxiation, through displacement of oxygen. If the gas concentration reaches 10% or more, suffocation can occur within minutes. The liquid will rapidly boil to the gas at standard temperatures and pressures. Contact with the cold gas can cause freezing of exposed tissue. Moisture in the air could lead to the formation of carbonic acid which can be irritating to the eyes. All forms of Carbon Dioxide are non-combustible. CARBON DIOXIDE GAS CARBON DIOXIDE, LIQUEFIED HAZARDOUS MATERIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM HEALTH (BLUE) 1 HEALTH (BLUE) 3 FLAMMABILITY (RED) 0 FLAMMABILITY (RED) 0 REACTIVITY (YELLOW) 0 REACTIVITY (YELLOW) 0 PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT B PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT X EYES RESPIRATORY HANDS BODY EYES RESPIRATORY HANDS BODY See For routine industrial applications SYMPTOMS OF OVER-EXPOSURE BY ROUTE OF EXPOSURE: The most significant routes of over-exposure for this gas are by inhalation, and skin or eye contact. Symptoms of such exposure are as follows: INHALATION: Carbon Dioxide is an asphyxiant and a powerful cerebral vasodilator. If the concentration of Carbon Dioxide reaches 10% or more, suffocation can occur within minutes. At concentrations between 2 and 10%, Carbon Dioxide can cause nausea, dizziness, headache, mental confusion, increased blood pressure and respiratory rate. Carbon Dioxide initially stimulates respiration and then causes respiratory depression. High concentrations result in narcosis. Repeated inhalation of low concentrations (3-5%) have no known permanent harmful effects. Symptoms in humans are as follows: CONCENTRATION EFFECT 1% Slight increase in breathing rate. 2% Breathing rate increases to 50% above normal level. Prolonged exposure can cause headache, tiredness. 3% Breathing increases to twice normal rate and becomes labored. Weak narcotic effect. Impaired hearing, headache, increase in blood pressure and pulse rate. 4-5% Breathing increases to approximately four times normal rate, symptoms of intoxication become evident and slight choking may be felt. 5-10% Characteristic sharp odor noticeable. Very labored breathing, headache, visual impairment and ringing in the ears. Judgment may be impaired, followed within minutes by loss of consciousness. 50-100% Unconsciousness occurs more rapidly above 10% level. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations may eventually result in death from asphyxiation. (Continued) INHALATION (continued): High concentrations of this gas can also cause an oxygen-deficient environment. However, the asphyxiating properties of Carbon Dioxide will be reached before oxygen-deficiency is a factor. CONTACT WITH SKIN or EYES: Contact of the cold gas with the skin can lead to frostbite or dermatitis (red, cracked, irritated skin), depending upon concentration and duration of exposure. Contact of the cold gas, or solid dry ice with the eyes can cause pain, redness, burns, and severe exposure could cause blindness. OTHER POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS: Symptoms of frostbite include change in skin color to white or grayish-yellow. The pain after contact with cold gas can quickly subside. Moisture in the air could lead to the formation of carbonic acid, which can be irritating to the eyes.

Potential health effects

OR RISKS FROM EXPOSURE An Explanation in Lay Terms. Over-exposure to Carbon Dioxide may cause the following health effects: ACUTE: Carbon Dioxide is an asphyxiant and a powerful cerebral vasodilator. Inhaling large quantities causes rapid circulatory insufficiency, which can lead to coma or death. At low concentrations, inhalation of Carbon Dioxide can cause nausea, dizziness, visual disturbances, shaking, headache, mental confusion, sweating, increased heartbeat, and elevated blood pressure and respiratory rate. High concentrations of the gas in air may cause eye irritation. Contact with the eyes can cause damage to the retinal ganglion cells. CHRONIC: There are currently no known adverse health effects associated with chronic exposure to this gas. TARGET ORGANS: Respiratory system, central nervous system, eyes.