Automotive CO Meters

The facts of operating an engine in a closed building:

• There are extremely high concentrations of carbon monoxide produced by an engine and can raise carbon monoxide concentrations in a closed building so quickly that a person may collapse before they even realize there is a problem.
• Carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen to the brain, causing CO intoxication, and lack of reasoning.
• Studies by the Centers for Disease Control found that carbon monoxide concentrations reach the Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) concentration of 1,200 parts per million (ppm) in only 7 minutes when a small 5 horsepower gasoline engine is run in a 10,000 cubic foot room.

What causes carbon monoxide poisoning from vehicles?

• Operating a vehicle with a defective exhaust system.
• Operating a vehicle with a defective emission system or poorly tuned engine.
• Driving a vehicle with the trunk lid or rear tailgate open.
• Driving a vehicle with holes in the car body.
• Allowing children to ride under a topper on a pick-up truck.
• Warming up a vehicle in a garage, even with the outside garage door open.
• Operating vehicles in a garage, carwash, or any enclosed building.

The risks of defective exhaust systems:

Internal combustion gasoline engines produce extremely high carbon monoxide concentrations. Even a properly tuned gasoline engine, will produce more than 30,000 parts per million (ppm) of carbon monoxide in the exhaust stream before the catalytic converter.

• An exhaust leak can allow escape of carbon monoxide before it is converted to non-toxic CO2 in the catalytic converter.
• The carbon monoxide leaking from the exhaust system can enter the vehicle through holes in the body or open windows or doors.
• The catalytic converter is also ineffective when there is insufficient oxygen in the area, which can occur in closed spaces like garages. This is why it is dangerous to leave your car running in a garage, even if the garage is open.