3 EN
Operating manual – particle counter PC220
Examples for carbon monoxide concentration in the air
Examples for carbon monoxide concentrations and their effects:
0 to 1 ppm Normal background levels
9 ppm Max. permissible concentration for interior spaces
35 ppm Max. average amount to which one may be exposed over a
period of 8 hours. *
100 ppm Exposure limit, persons ought to leave enclosed spaces. *
150 ppm Slight headache after 1.5 hours
200 ppm Mild headache, fatigue, nausea and dizziness
400 ppm Frontal headache, life-threatening after 3 hours
800 ppm Dizziness, nausea, convulsions, death within 2 to 3 hours
1600 ppm Nausea within 20 minutes, death within 1 hour
3200 ppm Headache, dizziness and nausea within 5 to 10 minutes.
Death within 25 to 30 minutes.
12800 ppm Death within 1 to 3 minutes
* according to OSHA = Occupational Safety & Health Association
Examples for formaldehyde concentration in the air
Formaldehyde is a colourless gas which is often contained in
the room air. Depending on the personal sensitivity, it is
perceived as a pungent odour above certain concentrations.
Formaldehyde, also referred to as HCHO or methanal, was
assigned to the hazard class Carcinogenic/category1B and
Germ cell mutagenic/category2 with effect from 1January
2016. Even small quantities of formaldehyde in the room air
may affect human health. The consequences include
concentration disorders, nervousness, headaches, dizziness, but
also nausea, swelling of mucosa, conjunctival irritations and
lacrimation. In extremely high concentrations, formaldehyde can
cause pneumonia or toxic pulmonary oedema and is therefore
fatal.
Moreover, the substance is suspected of having a sensitizing
effect on the body with respect to allergies, and of promoting an
aggravation of asthmatic symptoms. It is assumed that the
adverse health impact of formaldehyde is not caused by the
isolated substance but by mixtures of pollutants (VOC/TVOC)
containing formaldehyde.
The following specifications serve as guide values, which were
determined in international studies. They are not binding since
the listed symptoms strongly depend on personal sensitivity!
0.05 to 0.125 ppm Odour threshold
0.01 to 1.6 ppm Irritation of mucous membranes (nose, throat) and
eyes
2.0 to 3.0 ppm Stinging in the nose, eyes, throat
4.0 to 5.0 ppm Bearable for 30 minutes, increasing discomfort,
lacrimation
10.0 to 20.0 ppm Strong lacrimation already after a few minutes of
exposure (lasting for up to 1 hour after exposure),
immediate breathlessness, coughing, severe burning
in throat, nose and eyes
30 ppm Toxic pulmonary oedema, pneumonia, risk of death!
TVOC – Total Volatile Organic Compounds
Nowadays, interior spaces contain numerous possible sources
of volatile organic compounds, so-called VOCs. Such sources
include sealants, furniture, varnishes and solvents, insulation
material etc.
Every individual volatile organic compound can be associated
with specific as well as unspecific health problems. Therefore,
there is a maximum limit for the ambient concentration of each
of these substances in interior spaces.
Due to the different chemical compositions and the associated
different impact potential of each of these substances, an
assessment of the overall group of substances is a rather
complex issue. However, this is exactly what is tried to be done
by way of calculating the sum of the concentrations of these
individual compounds, i.e. by determining one collective value,
the so-called TVOC value (Total Volatile Organic Compounds).
Owing to the complexity of VOCs, both the individual health
effects on the human body and their intensity can be different
and vary greatly in certain cases. Therefore, the TVOC
concentration and its effects are purely indicative.
Even below the thresholds of an acute individual effect, TVOCs
can affect the human well-being and health through so-called
combination effects. A long-term exposure to even low TVOC
concentrations, particularly to mixtures, can lead to unspecific
symptoms and reactions including
• perception of unpleasant odours and tastes
• runny nose and watery eyes
• irritation of eyes, nose, throat
• dry mucous membranes and dry skin, itching
• increased sensitivity to infections of the respiratory tract as
well as
• neurotoxic symptoms (fatigue, headaches, reduced mental
performance)
and even result in permanent health damage.
TVOC concentration
(mg/m3)
Effect
< 0.20 No irritation or impairment of well-being
0.20 to 3.0 Irritation or impairment of well-being possible in case
of interaction with other exposure parameters
3.0 to 25 Exposure results in an effect; headaches possible in
case of interaction with other exposure parameters
> 25 Headaches; other neurotoxic effects apart from
headaches possible
(Source: German Federal Environmental Agency, Federal Health
Bulletin, B. Seifert, Guideline values for indoor air, Springer
1999)
