Synonyms: Carbonic acid gas; Dry ice; CO₂; Diesel exhaust component

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 0530

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 124-38-9

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: FF6400000

Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook [4 MB PDF, 392 pages]: 1013 21

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Carbon Dioxide: Physical description, chemical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more

National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Not listed

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Not listed

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carcinogenic classification: Not listed

EPA Inhalation Reference Concentration (RfC): Not established

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Inhalation Minimal Risk Level (MRL): Not established

NIOSH Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) concentration: 40,000 ppm

Notes on Other Potential Health Effects and Hazards

1. Although carbon dioxide itself is not combustible, containers of carbon dioxide may burst in the heat of a fire (NIOSH/IPCS 2006).
2. At high concentrations, carbon dioxide may irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. It may affect vision by inducing proptosis, mydriasis, yellowed vision, and transient blindness. Retinal ganglion cells have been noted to be damaged (Grant 1986).
3. Exposure to high levels of carbon dioxide may induce cardiopulmonary effects that can be reversed when removed from the environment (Halpern et al. 2004).

 Date Last Revised: 09/06/2012

Literature Basis

• ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Carbon Dioxide. 2001.
• Grant, W.M.: Toxicology of the Eye. 3rd ed. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher, p. 179, 1986.
• Halpern, P., Raskin, Y., Sorkine, P., Oganezov, A.: Exposure to extremely high concentrations of carbon dioxide - a clinical description of a mass casualty incident. Ann Emerg Med. 43(2):196-9, Feb 2004.
• NIOSH: Criteria for a Recommended Standard - Occupational Exposure to Carbon Dioxide. 1976.
• NIOSH: Occupational Health Guideline for Carbon Dioxide. 1978.
• NIOSH/IPCS: International Chemical Safety Cards - Carbon Dioxide. 2006.

Primary Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method (SLC1):

• sampling media: Five Layer Aluminized Gas Sampling Bag (5 liter)
  maximum volume: 5.0 Liters
  maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (TWA)
  maximum volume: 4.5 Liters
  maximum flow rate: 0.3 L/min (STEL)
  minimum volume: 2.0 Liters
  current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/TCD
  method reference: 2 (OSHA ID-172)
  sampling and analytical error: 0.11
  method classification: Fully Validated
  note: Use Detector tubes for screening. If greater than PEL call lab+ for gas sampling bags.
  

Secondary Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method (SAM2):

• device: Detector Tube
  company: Gastec
  part #: 2L
  range: 0.13-6.0 %v
  class: SEI certified

• device: Detector Tube
  company: Draeger
  part #: CH 23501
  range: 0.5-6 %v
  class: SEI certified

• device: Detector Tube
  company: Matheson/Kitagawa
  part #: 8014-126SA
  range: 0.1-2.6 %
  class: SEI certified

• device: Instrumentation
  company: Infrared Spectrophotometer
  part #: MIRAN 1A & 1B
  range: 0.4 ppm @ 4.3 µm
  class: Mfg

• device: Instrumentation
  company: Infrared Spectrophotometer
  part #: MIRAN 103
  range: 2% @ 4.45 µm
  class: Mfg

Wipe Sampling Method:

• No

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method (Wisconsin OHL):

• sampling media: Evacuated Cans - Back Filled with Nitrogen (Hold button down for a full 10 seconds)
  maximum volume: 120 mLiters
  current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/TCD
  method reference: (WOHL In-House File)
  method classification: Not Validated
  note: Use Detector tubes for screening. If greater than PEL call Wisconsin Occupational Health Laboratory (WOHL) for evacuated cans. If a TWA determination is desired collect a 5 liter sample in gas sampling bag. A grab sample can then be collected from the bag using the evacuated cans.

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