The problem with carbon dioxide is not that it is toxic per
se, but that in high enough concentration in the atmosphere it
prevents the lungs from off-gassing CO2 from your body to make room
for more oxygen. You essentially suffocate because you run out of
oxygen, not because the carbon dioxide kills you directly. Of course
in the end, what difference does it make? ;-)
Mark
At 11:04 AM 7/28/2012, Bill Walden wrote:
Rafal,
To much carbon dioxide will kill. A friend and I were surveying a
cave that floods drastically years ago. As we surveyed I began to
develop a headache and to feel nauseous. Finally my carbide light
began to misbehave, so for some reason, I climbed up higher to
change carbide. The lamp flame steadied some. I looked down at my
survey partner I noticed that he was just fumbling with his lamp. At
this point I realized what was wrong - high carbon dioxide content.
I yelled at him to climb up to my level. He did. After he changed
carbide, we left. Once out of the cave the headache and nausea went
away. I never did complete the survey and never did go back to that cave.
The CO2 was probably from the huge piles of rotting leaves
throughout the cave.
CO2 levels:
OSHA safe level - 0.5%
Max. short term exposure limit (OSHA) - 1.5%
Start to get a headache - 2%
Breathing twice normal rate - 3%
Bill Walden
NSS 11573
On 07/27/2012 10:32 PM, rafal kedzierski wrote:
Carbon dioxide? It's not that bad for you, it's in carbonated
drinks, air we exhale, it's even occasionally found in caves. In
fact as long as you electron transport chain gives electrons to
acceptor like oxygen as you make carbon dioxide, you can kick it
and call yourself alive.
Rafal Kedzierski
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2012 21:24:03 -0500
From: skese...@gmail.com
To: power_lou...@hotmail.com
CC: nmca...@comcast.net; gschin...@edwardsaquifer.org;
bmixon...@austin.rr.com; texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: [Texascavers] fumes in CC visitor center
I don't know what happened CC but I've worked construction all my
adult life ,I couldn't count the times our work envirment became
compromised because of toxic fumes, just like high co2 levels
you're no wimp for haulin A out of there and even getting checked
out.My pop was chem engineer for Dow , he told me in his latter
years that stuff is bad for you.
Please reply to mmin...@caver.net
Permanent email address is mmin...@illinoisalumni.org
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