Services - Additional Detailed Sampling and Testing

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide CO2 is a colorless, odourless and incombustible gas formed during respiration, combustion, and organic decomposition.  It is used in food refrigeration, carbonated beverages, inert atmospheres, fire extinguishers, and aerosols. Indoors most carbon dioxide production is a bi-product of occupants (people and animals) breathing.
Under certain indoor conditions elevated levels of carbon dioxide can be an indicator of poor ventilation.

The average concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is about 620 mg/m3 (≈ 340 ppm), but levels vary widely with time and location. A well ventilated home will measure typical readings of between 400ppm – 800ppm.  Levels above 800ppm can indicate ventilation problems and can lead to poor air quality complaints. A maximum exposure level of 6300 mg/m3 (3500 ppm) should provide an adequate safety margin for sensitive groups. At such a level, the effect of carbon dioxide as a ventilation stimulant is likely to be small and so would not greatly increase the dose received of other pollutants present in the air. 

The content found on this page finds its sources in the Exposure Guidelines for Residential Indoor Air Quality, Health Canada, 1989.