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Air Quality/carbon monoxide poisoning

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Expert: - 2/18/2001


Question
would a 6ft.200lbs man sufficate first, or die of carbon monoxide poisoning if sealed in an airtight coffin?

Answer
You misunderstand your chemistry.  We exhale carbon dioxide or CO2 not carbon monoxide CO.  Carbon monoxide takes a few hundred parts per million to kill immediately.  Carbon Dioxide is not re-usable by the body so your person sealed in the box would die of lack of oxygen.  When the oxygen got below about 15% he would become unconscious, and then would suffocate through lack of oxygen at about 12-15% O2.

Air Quality

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Dave Russell

Expertise

I can answer questions on industrial practice, emissions, and impacts of air pollutants. I`m also good on regulatory and policy questions, but have an admitted anti-regulatory bias.

Experience

I've been in consulting engineering for over 30 years.

Organizations
Am. Inst. of Chemical Engineers., Water Environment Federation

Publications
Too many to list here. I'm currently writing an editorial piece for PollutionOnLine.com once monthly on industrial perspectives on pollution control.

Education/Credentials
BS & MS in Environmental Engineering, Instructor for Am. Inst. of Chemical Engineers

Awards and Honors
Who's Who in Engineering

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