CO and CO₂ – often confused terms

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\nCO and CO₂are very similar names and one can easily confuse them just because of slang terms like “céočko”, “céodvojka”, etc. Therefore, we have prepared a few paragraphs below to explain the differences.
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CO = carbon monoxide | CO₂ = carbon dioxide

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\nBoth are colorless and odorless gases, and their concentration is typically expressed in ppm. They differ in that while carbon dioxide (CO₂) is commonly found in nature, carbon monoxide (CO) is not as common.
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\nLet’s analyze these two gases in more detail.
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Carbon Monoxide (CO)

colorless flammable gas with no taste or smell

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not commonly found

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average concentration in the outdoor environment is around 0.1 ppm

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contained in town gas, generator gas, and water gas

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life-threatening

Cause of Formation

\nCarbon monoxide is produced during the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass (e.g., coal, gas, wood). Incomplete combustion occurs when there is insufficient air supply.
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Life-Threatening Concentrations

at concentrations of nearly 100 ppm, the first symptoms of mild poisoning begin, such as headache and dizziness

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a life-threatening concentration is around 700 ppm

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inhaled carbon monoxide blocks the transport of oxygen in the blood, which is why it is very dangerous

What is hidden behind the term “céočko”?

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

commonly occurring gas in the atmosphere, where the concentration in outdoor air is currently slightly over 400 ppm (as of 2020 it is 411 ppm)

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produced as a byproduct during the metabolic processes of living organisms – breathing, fermentation, chemical reactions, and combustion

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recommended value in indoor spaces is 1,000 ppm

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life-threatening concentration is up to around 80,000 ppm, which is a very high concentration (8 %)

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FOR INTEREST: outside, a person inhales air with a CO₂ concentration of around 400 ppm and exhales air with a CO₂ concentration roughly 100 times higher, which is 40,000 to 45,000 ppm; this is why CO₂ is excellent for assessing how stale the indoor air is

But did you know that even though it is well measured and used to assess indoor air quality, CO₂ is not the main pollutant? It is the so-called VOCs – read more about them here.

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Combined Sensors

CO₂ + humidity

CO₂ sensors

VOC Sensors

RH Sensors

Temperature Sensors

Wireless Sensors

Duct Sensors

Industrial Sensors

Accessories

Refrigerant Leak Sensors

Radon Sensors

PMx Sensors

CO and CO₂ – often confused terms

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Cause of Formation

Life-Threatening Concentrations

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

But did you know that even though it is well measured and used to assess indoor air quality, CO₂ is not the main pollutant? It is the so-called VOCs – read more about them here.

Combined Sensors

CO₂ + humidity

CO2 sensors

VOC Sensors

RH Sensors

Temperature Sensors

Wireless Sensors

Duct Sensors

Industrial Sensors

Accessories

Refrigerant Leak Sensors

Radon Sensors

PMx Sensors

CO and CO2 – often confused terms

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Cause of Formation

Life-Threatening Concentrations

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

But did you know that even though it is well measured and used to assess indoor air quality, CO2 is not the main pollutant? It is the so-called VOCs – read more about them here.

CO₂ sensors

CO and CO₂ – often confused terms

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

But did you know that even though it is well measured and used to assess indoor air quality, CO₂ is not the main pollutant? It is the so-called VOCs – read more about them here.