4oTrimestre14| PROTECCIÓN LABORAL 81 PPE on the field Dangers from carbon monoxide (CO) MSA, a leading manufacturer of portable gas measuring technology and Wiesbaden fire brigade have been supporting a study since 2011 which dealt with the problem of poisonings from CO, including with regard to the staff of the emergency ser- vices and fire brigade. Carbon monoxide occurs with the incom- plete combustion of materials containing carbon and is best known to the fire brigade as part of smoke. Besides damag- ing fires, there can also be many other causes of a dangerous carbon monoxide concentration, which occur much more inconspicuously – the gas boiler in the bathroom, the open fireplace in the lounge, exhaust fumes from combustion engines in garages or also storage rooms for wood pellets, to name but a few. Partic- ularly dangerous is the fact that carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless and tasteless respiratory poison. Symptoms and evidence of poisoning In many cases the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are confused with those of the flu or circulation problems. The typical symptoms of a gastrointestinal infection or of alcohol and drug misuse can also occur. Often the carbon monoxide poisoning can only be verified in a clinic environment. Physics and behaviour of CO The density of CO is minimally lower than that of the surrounding air. Furthermore, this material has a very good diffusivity and can spread through walls and ceilings. In addition CO creates explosive atmos- pheres in the range of 10.9 Vol. % – 76 Vol. % (limits fluctuate slightly according to source). Tactics and evidence Carbon monoxide cannot be perceived by the human sensory organs. In order to pre- vent endangerment of rescue workers, there is the option of measuring the sur- rounding air (atmospheric measurement). With this method, the qualitative state- ment can be made directly, whether a CO concentration is present and whether the rescue workers are in danger. Similarly, the qualitative statement can be made now to see if carbon monoxide poisoning should be expected in the patients affected. The quantitative evidence can now be car- ried out using a measurement of the COHb values in the blood and the state of health of the injured person better assessed. Fur- thermore, through the quantitative evi- dence the planning of further rescue mea- sures is sustainably supported and improved. The atmospheric measurement in this con- nection takes place using the portable gas measuring technology from MSA with the Altair family the optimal tool available for this. Devices and technology The Wiesbaden fire brigade used the Altair PRO single gas measuring device and Altair single gas warning devices from MSA. Both devices feature a robust, rubber coated housing with effective spray water and dust protection (IP67) as well as extreme impact and shock resis- tance. Equally interesting for these scenarios of use is the Altair 4X multiple gases mea- suring device. The Altair 4X additionally covers the monitoring of gas air mixtures capable of ignition, hydrogen sulphide and oxygen concentrations. Alongside the storage of alarms and activities automat- ically running in the background and fast response times for the rapid detection of harmful gases, this device features two further specialties: the motionless alarm which is automatically activated if the wearer is motionless, and an emergency alarm which can be triggered manually. For a check of gas measuring technology that can be used every day MSA recom- mends the Galaxy GX2 inspection sta- tion. In combination with the Altair 4X, this automatic inspection station, with charging function, automatically carries out an adjustment at user defined inter- vals. A large advantage is that the gas measuring devices are always fully charged and ready to use, which is ideal for emergency circumstances. 37