CDC - NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards -

Carbon dioxide (original) (raw)

Synonyms & Trade Names

Carbonic acid gas, Dry ice [Note: Normal constituent of air (about 300 ppm)].

DOT ID & Guide

1013 120
1845 120(dry ice)
2187 120(liquid)

Exposure Limits

NIOSH REL

TWA 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3) ST 30,000 ppm (54,000 mg/m3)

OSHA PEL

TWA 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3) See Appendix G

Physical Description

Colorless, odorless gas. [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas. Solid form is utilized as dry ice.]

Incompatibilities & Reactivities

Dusts of various metals, such as magnesium, zirconium, titanium, aluminum, chromium & manganese are ignitable and explosive when suspended in carbon dioxide. Forms carbonic acid in water.

Exposure Routes

inhalation, skin and/or eye contact (liquid/solid)

Symptoms

headache, dizziness, restlessness, paresthesia; dyspnea (breathing difficulty); sweating, malaise (vague feeling of discomfort); increased heart rate, cardiac output, blood pressure; coma; asphyxia; convulsions; frostbite (liquid, dry ice)

Target Organs

respiratory system, cardiovascular system

Personal Protection/Sanitation

(See protection codes)
**Skin:**Frostbite
**Eyes:**Frostbite
**Wash skin:**No recommendation
**Remove:**No recommendation
**Change:**No recommendation
**Provide:**Frostbite wash

First Aid

(See procedures)
**Eye:**Frostbite
**Skin:**Frostbite
**Breathing:**Respiratory support

Respirator Recommendations

NIOSH/OSHA

Up to 40000 ppm:
(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator
(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece

Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus

Escape:
Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus

Important additional information about respirator selection