EN 7
Partikelzähler PC220
Note
Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents to clean the device.
Examples for carbon monoxide concentration in the air
Examples for carbon monoxide concentrations and their effects:
0 to 1 ppm Normal background levels
9 ppm Max. permissible concentration for interior spaces
35 ppm Max. average amount to which one may be exposed over a
period of 8 hours. *
100 ppm Exposure limit, persons ought to leave enclosed spaces. *
150 ppm Slight headache after 1.5 hours
200 ppm Mild headache, fatigue, nausea and dizziness
400 ppm Frontal headache, life-threatening after 3 hours
800 ppm Dizziness, nausea, convulsions, death within 2 to 3 hours
1600 ppm Nausea within 20 minutes, death within 1 hour
3200 ppm Headache, dizziness and nausea within 5 to 10 minutes.
Death within 25 to 30 minutes.
12800 ppm Death within 1 to 3 minutes
* according to OSHA = Occupational Safety & Health Association
Examples for formaldehyde concentration in the air
Formaldehyde is a colourless gas which is often contained in the room air.
Depending on the personal sensitivity, it is perceived as a pungent odour
above certain concentrations.
Formaldehyde, also referred to as HCHO or methanal, was assigned to the
hazard class Carcinogenic/category1B and Germ cell mutagenic/category2
with effect from 1January 2016. Even small quantities of formaldehyde in the
room air may affect human health. The consequences include concentration
disorders, nervousness, headaches, dizziness, but also nausea, swelling of
mucosa, conjunctival irritations and lacrimation. In extremely high
concentrations, formaldehyde can cause pneumonia or toxic pulmonary
oedema and is therefore fatal.
Moreover, the substance is suspected of having a sensitizing effect on the
body with respect to allergies, and of promoting an aggravation of asthmatic
symptoms. It is assumed that the adverse health impact of formaldehyde is
not caused by the isolated substance but by mixtures of pollutants (VOC/TVOC)
containing formaldehyde.
The following specifications serve as guide values, which were determined in
international studies. They are not binding since the listed symptoms strongly
depend on personal sensitivity!
0.05 to 0.125ppm Odour threshold
0.01 to 1.6ppm Irritation of mucous membranes (nose, throat) and eyes
2.0 to 3.0ppm Stinging in the nose, eyes, throat
4.0 to 5.0ppm Bearable for 30 minutes, increasing discomfort,
lacrimation
10.0 to 20.0ppm Strong lacrimation already after a few minutes of
exposure (lasting for up to 1 hour after exposure),
immediate breathlessness, coughing, severe burning in
throat, nose and eyes
30ppm Toxic pulmonary oedema, pneumonia, risk of death!
TVOC – Total Volatile Organic Compounds
Nowadays, interior spaces contain numerous possible sources of volatile
organic compounds, so-called VOCs. Such sources include sealants, furniture,
varnishes and solvents, insulation material etc.
Every individual volatile organic compound can be associated with specific as
well as unspecific health problems. Therefore, there is a maximum limit for
the ambient concentration of each of these substances in interior spaces.
Due to the different chemical compositions and the associated different impact
potential of each of these substances, an assessment of the overall group of
substances is a rather complex issue. However, this is exactly what is tried to
be done by way of calculating the sum of the concentrations of these
individual compounds, i.e. by determining one collective value, the so-called
TVOC value (Total Volatile Organic Compounds).
Owing to the complexity of VOCs, both the individual health effects on the
human body and their intensity can be different and vary greatly in certain
cases. Therefore, the TVOC concentration and its effects are purely indicative.
Even below the thresholds of an acute individual effect, TVOCs can affect the
human well-being and health through so-called combination effects. A long-
term exposure to even low TVOC concentrations, particularly to mixtures, can
lead to unspecific symptoms and reactions including
• perception of unpleasant odours and tastes
• runny nose and watery eyes
• irritation of eyes, nose, throat
• dry mucous membranes and dry skin, itching
• increased sensitivity to infections of the respiratory tract as well as
• neurotoxic symptoms (fatigue, headaches, reduced mental
performance)
and even result in permanent health damage.
TVOC concentration
(mg/m3)
Effect
< 0.20 No irritation or impairment of well-being
0.20 to 3.0 Irritation or impairment of well-being possible in case
of interaction with other exposure parameters
3.0 to 25 Exposure results in an effect; headaches possible in
case of interaction with other exposure parameters
> 25 Headaches; other neurotoxic effects apart from
headaches possible
(Source: German Federal Environmental Agency, Federal Health Bulletin, B.
Seifert, Guideline values for indoor air, Springer 1999)
