NO2
So I’m a little bit surprised that more people haven’t heard of this so I figured I would put it here and maybe help pass along a little information.
If you have a diesel engine running in a somewhat enclosed area make sure you are monitoring for nitrogen dioxide. Of course you need to look out for carbon monoxide but your usual four gas monitors are not looking for NO2 and the OSHA PEL is only 5 parts per million. NIOSH recommends 1 PPM. Make sure the machine is running well and put a scrubber on the exhaust and get yourself a single gas meter if you need to.
Comments (17)
Great info, Mark! I've ran into this in a few places, but as you mentioned, it's not as commonly known as the CO hazard. Its also produced by gas-powered engines, as well.
Back when I was an auto/diesel technician, we would do exhaust gas analysis from time to time and measure NO2. The other place is at the firehouse, which is why we would have a plymovent exhaust system we would hook up to the tailpipe to suck out all the fumes while the apparatus was idling in the bay before or after a run. The good thing about NO2 monitors, depending on the one you have, is they can measure down in the parts per billion, rather than parts per million.
Diesel particulates (DPM) are another thing people don't pay attention to very much. MSHA has cracked down on it a bit due to the heavy equipment producing the DPM.
Excellent post and info!
Great information to share.
I don't know how many times I step into a company, and they are not doing annual CO2 readouts on their diesel and gas PITs.
I would always insure I received a complete noxious gas readout to include even CO2 and DPM.
Well, I guess it's a common theme I am also a volunteer Firefighter and EMT as well as a CSP. I have been having this same discussion with the company that services our PITs. All of our employees are required to wear four gas monitors. The use of these has shown many issues but one that keeps lingering is the Carbon Monoxide levels that our propane powered forklifts emit. They come out and do the basic service however I do not believe they ever get tuned up with fresh plugs, rotor cap etc...... I know they will always emit CO2, but I think the levels should or would be much lower if these issues were addressed. Peak readings were 176 ppm with 1953 alarms over the last year for C02 alone. We do not measure N02 but I am sure it is way up there also.
Yes Honeywell is one of the few manufacturers that makes an NO2 respirator cartridge. We sell a lot to transit authorities for running trains. 7586P100L
So here is a plot twist. I had someone ask me about tier 4 emissions on new equipment and how or if they related to NO2. My response is I have no idea. Does anyone else know?
Underground mining has established NO2 standards and monitoring requirements. Ventilation and exhaust systems are a must to be below the PEL.
Well you learn something everyday! At first I thought you were talking Laughing Gas, N2O. But we are talking one less N and one more O if I remember my Chemistry, and that was a LONG time ago!
Very cool! I always thought for N2O that the meter would be when people start laughing! I just remember the Mel Gibson movie where they get to much N2O. However I think N2O and NO2 are not "Laughing Maters!" Pun intended!
Awesome Post and info!