Acute Carbon Monoxide Exposure Guidelines

Acute carbon monoxide (CO) exposure guidelines set safety levels to protect people from immediate health risks. They specify the maximum concentration of CO in the air, usually measured in parts per million (ppm), that is considered safe for short-term exposure. For example, a common guideline suggests that indoor CO levels should not exceed 35 ppm over an 8-hour period, with much lower limits for shorter exposures. These limits help prevent symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or even life-threatening conditions by alerting people whenever CO levels are unsafe, encouraging prompt action to prevent poisoning.