About Toxic & Combustible Gases
Learn about the hazardous gases that may be present at your site and the safety threats they may present.
Learn about the hazardous gases that may be present at your site and the safety threats they may present.
Identifying potential toxic and combustible gases at your site is crucial to the safety of your personnel and facilities. Once possible gas threats have been identified, it's vital to have gas detection and gas sensor technologies to monitor for potential gas leaks. Integrated gas detection technologies help to protect your personnel and property from dangerous gases while helping you maintain operations.
Toxic gases commonly found in heavy industries include:
Some of these poisonous gases may be easily identified by smell, while others may not. For instance, hydrogen sulfide gas has an odor similar to that of a rotten egg, whereas carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless toxic gas. By the time a person encounters a toxic gas they may have already been exposed at a life-threatening level.
Exposure to toxic gases can have negative side effects like chronic illness, dizziness, irregular breathing, fatigue, nausea, headache, and eye irritation. Some toxic gas exposure levels can even result in death.
Below are toxic gases commonly found within heavy industries and their respective Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) figures.
Gas | IDLH |
Carbon monoxide (CO) | 1,200 ppm |
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) | 100 ppm |
Oxygen (O2) | <19.5% O2 by volume |
Carbon dioxide (CO2) | 40,000 ppm |
Ammonia (NH3) | 300 ppm |
Proactively monitoring for toxic gases is critical for the safety and health of your personnel.
Common combustible gases in heavy industries include:
Gases that are stored under pressure, commonly in cylinders or bulk containers, may readily ignite if an uncontrolled release were to occur.
Combustible gases act as hazards in heavy industries, jeopardizing the safety of your personnel and property assets.
Explosions at plants and other facilities could occur due to a lack of equipment maintenance, improper handling of volatile liquids/gases, dismissing regulatory safety standards, and a variety of other reasons.
Closely monitoring lower explosive limits (LEL) and following other proactive gas detection strategies could help prevent a catastrophic fire-related disaster from occuring.
Rosemount™ 928 Wireless Gas Monitor
Learn about Emerson's new platform for wireless gas detection. In industries with toxic & combustible gases present, flame & gas detection products help safeguard critical assets, maintain a profitable operation & address operation safety concerns.
Learn more at https://Emerson.com/RosemountAspirator
The Emerson™ Gas & Smoke Aspirator System enhances safety by providing reliable, long-lasting smoke and gas detection in extreme environments.
Rosemount™ 928 Wireless Gas Monitor
Learn about Emerson's new platform for wireless gas detection. In industries with toxic & combustible gases present, flame & gas detection products help safeguard critical assets, maintain a profitable operation & address operation safety concerns.
Learn more at https://Emerson.com/RosemountAspirator
The Emerson™ Gas & Smoke Aspirator System enhances safety by providing reliable, long-lasting smoke and gas detection in extreme environments.
