Indoor Ice Arenas & Carbon Monoxide (CO)

The most frequently encountered air quality concern in indoor arenas is carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Description

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, toxic, and flammable gas at normal temperatures and pressures.  It is non-irritating although it is frequently encountered with irritant gases.  Because it is non-irritating and odourless, it has no adequate warning properties.  Since the density of carbon monoxide is similar to that of air, CO can easily mix with the surrounding air.  Air currents, however slight, will cause uniform mixing of CO in the air.  A lack of moving air will cause the formation of CO “pockets” within the workplace or ice arena.  Carbon monoxide has been the oldest industrial poison ever since man started using fire for manufacturing.  It has often been referred to as the silent killer.

Sources Include

1. The exhaust gases of internal combustion engines (gasoline, propane, and diesel).
   

2. The gases produced by the incomplete combustion of coal, gas, coke, oil, wood, or other combustible material.
   

3. Cigarette smoke.

Health Aspects:

Maximum Allowable Concentration

Readings should not at any time or in any location exceed 25 parts per million (ppm).

Training and Supervision

Workers are to be instructed to use exhaust ventilation equipment in the proper manner.  Carbon monoxide does not have irritant warning properties.  Therefore, monitoring of the working environment is recommended.  However, workers potentially exposed to carbon monoxide can be taught to recognize symptoms.

Maintenance

1. Frequent motor tune-up of diesel, gasoline, and propane engines as well as checks of the condition of muffler and exhaust equipment results in less carbon monoxide in the working area air.
   

2. Flues, gravity stacks and exhaust fans must be kept in good operating condition.