GITNUXREPORT 2026

Carbon Monoxide Statistics

Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas produced by combustion and used in industry globally.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Incomplete combustion of gasoline vehicles emits 1-2% CO by volume in exhaust under stoichiometric conditions.

Statistic 2

Residential wood burning fireplaces emit average 5-10 g CO per kg of wood burned.

Statistic 3

Cigarette smoke contains 4-5% CO by volume, leading to 3-15% COHb in smokers.

Statistic 4

Atmospheric background CO level is 0.1-0.2 ppm globally, rising to 0.5 ppm in urban areas.

Statistic 5

Volcanic emissions contribute 10-20 million tons CO annually worldwide.

Statistic 6

Forest fires emit 20-50 Tg CO per year globally, peaking during El Niño events.

Statistic 7

Power plants burning coal emit 0.1-0.5 kg CO per MWh generated.

Statistic 8

Natural gas appliances like unvented heaters produce 10-50 ppm CO under normal operation.

Statistic 9

Traffic contributes 50-70% of urban CO concentrations, with peaks at 5-10 ppm during rush hour.

Statistic 10

Methane oxidation in troposphere produces 500-1000 Tg CO annually.

Statistic 11

Indoor CO levels from kerosene heaters can reach 100-200 ppm without ventilation.

Statistic 12

Boat engines in enclosed cabins emit up to 4000 ppm CO from exhaust.

Statistic 13

Barbecues used indoors produce 500-1000 ppm CO within minutes.

Statistic 14

Generators placed near homes elevate outdoor CO to 100-500 ppm at 5 meters.

Statistic 15

Snow-blocked tailpipes in vehicles can build CO to 1-5% in cabin air.

Statistic 16

Industrial flaring emits 1-2 g CO per m³ of flared gas.

Statistic 17

Aircraft exhaust contributes 0.01-0.05 ppm CO at cruising altitudes.

Statistic 18

Urban ambient CO averages 1-3 ppm in major cities like Los Angeles pre-CARB regulations.

Statistic 19

CO half-life in atmosphere is 1-2 months, primarily oxidized by OH radicals.

Statistic 20

CO exposure at 100 ppm for 4 hours causes headache and fatigue in 50% of people.

Statistic 21

Carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels above 10% impair cognitive function and exercise performance.

Statistic 22

Annual CO poisoning deaths in US: 400-500, with 50,000 ER visits.

Statistic 23

Symptoms at 400 ppm include nausea and dizziness after 2-3 hours exposure.

Statistic 24

Fetuses are 10-20% more sensitive to CO, with miscarriage risk doubling at 5% COHb.

Statistic 25

Chronic low-level CO (1-5 ppm) links to increased cardiovascular hospitalizations by 13%.

Statistic 26

LD50 for CO inhalation in rats is 1807 ppm for 4 hours.

Statistic 27

50% COHb causes unconsciousness; 70% is rapidly fatal without intervention.

Statistic 28

CO poisoning accounts for 1-2% of all poisoning deaths globally, ~10,000/year.

Statistic 29

Elderly (>65) have 2-3x higher mortality rate from CO poisoning.

Statistic 30

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces half-time of COHb elimination from 4-6h to 20-30 min.

Statistic 31

CO exacerbates angina in heart patients at 50 ppm over 1 hour.

Statistic 32

Children under 5 show neurological deficits post-CO exposure at >20% COHb.

Statistic 33

CO binds myoglobin 40x stronger than O2, impairing muscle oxygen delivery at 10% COHb.

Statistic 34

Post-CO poisoning, 10-30% develop delayed neuropsychiatric syndrome weeks later.

Statistic 35

Smokers average 5-10% COHb, increasing atherosclerosis risk by 2-4x.

Statistic 36

CO poisoning misdiagnosed as flu in 30-50% of cases initially.

Statistic 37

Occupational CO exposure limit is 50 ppm TWA per OSHA.

Statistic 38

CO at 800 ppm causes convulsions and coma in 2 hours.

Statistic 39

Winter months see 5x more CO poisonings due to heating.

Statistic 40

Global industrial production of CO reaches about 50 million tons annually, primarily via steam reforming of natural gas.

Statistic 41

In the steel industry, CO is produced via the blast furnace process at rates up to 1,200 Nm³/ton of pig iron.

Statistic 42

Syngas, containing 40-60% CO, is produced at over 200 billion cubic meters annually worldwide for chemical synthesis.

Statistic 43

CO is used in the Mond process for nickel purification, reacting to form volatile Ni(CO)₄ at yields >95%.

Statistic 44

Hydroformylation (oxo process) consumes about 10 million tons of CO annually to produce aldehydes from alkenes.

Statistic 45

In methanol synthesis, CO + 2H₂ → CH₃OH uses 20-30 million tons of CO equivalent per year globally.

Statistic 46

Fischer-Tropsch process converts CO-rich syngas to hydrocarbons, producing 1-2 million barrels/day in major plants.

Statistic 47

CO is generated in partial oxidation of hydrocarbons, with methane partial oxidation yielding 70-80% CO selectivity.

Statistic 48

Coal gasification produces syngas with 30-50% CO content, accounting for 20% of global syngas production.

Statistic 49

Acetic acid production via Monsanto process uses CO and methanol, consuming 5 million tons CO/year.

Statistic 50

CO laser uses CO as the active medium, achieving wavelengths from 2.5 to 20 μm with power outputs up to 100 kW.

Statistic 51

In metal carbonyls production, like Fe(CO)₅, CO usage is about 100,000 tons annually for catalysts.

Statistic 52

Steam reforming of natural gas produces 50-60% H₂ and 30-40% CO, with global capacity >100 million tons H₂ equivalent.

Statistic 53

Biomass gasification yields syngas with 15-30% CO, contributing to 5% of renewable syngas production.

Statistic 54

Dry reforming of methane (CO₂ + CH₄ → 2CO + 2H₂) is emerging, with pilot plants producing 10-20 tons CO/day.

Statistic 55

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas with a molecular weight of 28.01 g/mol, slightly less dense than air at 0.967 g/L.

Statistic 56

CO has a boiling point of -191.5°C and a melting point of -205.02°C under standard atmospheric pressure.

Statistic 57

The bond dissociation energy of the carbon-oxygen triple bond in CO is 1072 kJ/mol, making it one of the strongest known chemical bonds.

Statistic 58

CO exhibits a dipole moment of 0.122 Debye due to its slight polarity from the lone pair on carbon.

Statistic 59

Infrared absorption spectrum of CO shows a strong peak at 2143 cm⁻¹ corresponding to the C≡O stretch vibration.

Statistic 60

CO solubility in water at 20°C and 1 atm is 0.0284 g/L, increasing with pressure per Henry's law constant of 0.934 L·atm/mol.

Statistic 61

The ionization energy of CO is 14.014 eV, with the first ionization removing an electron from the 5σ orbital.

Statistic 62

CO forms coordination complexes with metals, such as [Fe(CO)₅], where it acts as a ligand via σ-donation and π-backbonding.

Statistic 63

Thermal conductivity of CO at 25°C and 1 atm is 0.02476 W/m·K.

Statistic 64

Viscosity of gaseous CO at 20°C is 1.77 × 10⁻⁵ Pa·s.

Statistic 65

CO has a critical temperature of -140.2°C and critical pressure of 34.99 atm.

Statistic 66

Heat capacity (Cp) of CO gas at 25°C is 29.14 J/mol·K.

Statistic 67

CO reacts with oxygen to form CO₂ with an activation energy of approximately 167 kJ/mol in the gas phase.

Statistic 68

Equilibrium constant for CO + H₂O ⇌ CO₂ + H₂ (water-gas shift) at 227°C is K=10.

Statistic 69

CO binds to hemoglobin with an affinity 210-250 times greater than oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin (COHb).

Statistic 70

CO detectors must alarm at 70 ppm for 1-4 hours per UL 2034 standard.

Statistic 71

EPA NAAQS for 8-hour CO average is 9 ppm, 1-hour 35 ppm since 1971.

Statistic 72

OSHA PEL for CO is 50 ppm 8-hour TWA, 200 ppm ceiling.

Statistic 73

NIOSH REL is 35 ppm TWA, 200 ppm ceiling for 15 min.

Statistic 74

WHO indoor guideline: 9 ppm 8-hr, 25 ppm 1-hr, 90 ppm 15-min.

Statistic 75

All new homes in UK require CO alarms since 2001 Building Regs.

Statistic 76

US CPSC mandates CO alarms in all dwellings since 2011.

Statistic 77

NFPA 720 requires CO detectors in residences with fuel-burning appliances.

Statistic 78

California AB 1837 bans single-family home sales without CO detectors.

Statistic 79

EU Directive 2000/39/EC sets workplace CO limit at 30 mg/m³ (26 ppm).

Statistic 80

Portable generator CO emissions regulated <430 ppm at 23 ft per EPA.

Statistic 81

Vent-free gas heaters limited to 0.01% CO emission by ANSI Z21.11.2.

Statistic 82

Annual CO detector testing required in hotels per NFPA 101.

Statistic 83

Canada mandates CO alarms in all new dwellings since 2006.

Statistic 84

Australia AS 3780 standard for CO alarms: alarm at 70 ppm within 120 min.

Statistic 85

US annual CO deaths dropped 50% from 1999-2010 due to detectors.

Statistic 86

Chimney sweeps required annually for wood stoves per EPA.

Statistic 87

Forklift CO emissions limited to 200 ppm average per OSHA.

Statistic 88

CO exposure monitoring required in tunnels per EU Dir 92/104.

Statistic 89

Massachusetts law requires CO detectors in all residential buildings.

1/89

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While most of us know carbon monoxide as a silent killer, the staggering truth lies in its complex chemistry and pervasive presence, from the 50 million tons produced industrially each year to the chilling fact that exposure to just 100 ppm for a few hours can cause headaches in half of those affected.

Key Takeaways

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas with a molecular weight of 28.01 g/mol, slightly less dense than air at 0.967 g/L.
CO has a boiling point of -191.5°C and a melting point of -205.02°C under standard atmospheric pressure.
The bond dissociation energy of the carbon-oxygen triple bond in CO is 1072 kJ/mol, making it one of the strongest known chemical bonds.
Global industrial production of CO reaches about 50 million tons annually, primarily via steam reforming of natural gas.
In the steel industry, CO is produced via the blast furnace process at rates up to 1,200 Nm³/ton of pig iron.
Syngas, containing 40-60% CO, is produced at over 200 billion cubic meters annually worldwide for chemical synthesis.
Incomplete combustion of gasoline vehicles emits 1-2% CO by volume in exhaust under stoichiometric conditions.
Residential wood burning fireplaces emit average 5-10 g CO per kg of wood burned.
Cigarette smoke contains 4-5% CO by volume, leading to 3-15% COHb in smokers.
CO exposure at 100 ppm for 4 hours causes headache and fatigue in 50% of people.
Carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels above 10% impair cognitive function and exercise performance.
Annual CO poisoning deaths in US: 400-500, with 50,000 ER visits.
CO detectors must alarm at 70 ppm for 1-4 hours per UL 2034 standard.
EPA NAAQS for 8-hour CO average is 9 ppm, 1-hour 35 ppm since 1971.
OSHA PEL for CO is 50 ppm 8-hour TWA, 200 ppm ceiling.

Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas produced by combustion and used in industry globally.

Environmental Sources and Levels

Incomplete combustion of gasoline vehicles emits 1-2% CO by volume in exhaust under stoichiometric conditions.
Residential wood burning fireplaces emit average 5-10 g CO per kg of wood burned.
Cigarette smoke contains 4-5% CO by volume, leading to 3-15% COHb in smokers.
Atmospheric background CO level is 0.1-0.2 ppm globally, rising to 0.5 ppm in urban areas.
Volcanic emissions contribute 10-20 million tons CO annually worldwide.
Forest fires emit 20-50 Tg CO per year globally, peaking during El Niño events.
Power plants burning coal emit 0.1-0.5 kg CO per MWh generated.
Natural gas appliances like unvented heaters produce 10-50 ppm CO under normal operation.
Traffic contributes 50-70% of urban CO concentrations, with peaks at 5-10 ppm during rush hour.
Methane oxidation in troposphere produces 500-1000 Tg CO annually.
Indoor CO levels from kerosene heaters can reach 100-200 ppm without ventilation.
Boat engines in enclosed cabins emit up to 4000 ppm CO from exhaust.
Barbecues used indoors produce 500-1000 ppm CO within minutes.
Generators placed near homes elevate outdoor CO to 100-500 ppm at 5 meters.
Snow-blocked tailpipes in vehicles can build CO to 1-5% in cabin air.
Industrial flaring emits 1-2 g CO per m³ of flared gas.
Aircraft exhaust contributes 0.01-0.05 ppm CO at cruising altitudes.
Urban ambient CO averages 1-3 ppm in major cities like Los Angeles pre-CARB regulations.
CO half-life in atmosphere is 1-2 months, primarily oxidized by OH radicals.

Environmental Sources and Levels Interpretation

In a world that often tries to kill us quietly, humanity has perfected the art of turning every facet of modern life—from the essential car, to the cozy fireplace, to the desperate cigarette—into its own miniature carbon monoxide factory, while a symphony of volcanoes, wildfires, and even methane gas unhelpfully join in from the sidelines.

Health Impacts and Poisoning

CO exposure at 100 ppm for 4 hours causes headache and fatigue in 50% of people.
Carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels above 10% impair cognitive function and exercise performance.
Annual CO poisoning deaths in US: 400-500, with 50,000 ER visits.
Symptoms at 400 ppm include nausea and dizziness after 2-3 hours exposure.
Fetuses are 10-20% more sensitive to CO, with miscarriage risk doubling at 5% COHb.
Chronic low-level CO (1-5 ppm) links to increased cardiovascular hospitalizations by 13%.
LD50 for CO inhalation in rats is 1807 ppm for 4 hours.
50% COHb causes unconsciousness; 70% is rapidly fatal without intervention.
CO poisoning accounts for 1-2% of all poisoning deaths globally, ~10,000/year.
Elderly (>65) have 2-3x higher mortality rate from CO poisoning.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces half-time of COHb elimination from 4-6h to 20-30 min.
CO exacerbates angina in heart patients at 50 ppm over 1 hour.
Children under 5 show neurological deficits post-CO exposure at >20% COHb.
CO binds myoglobin 40x stronger than O2, impairing muscle oxygen delivery at 10% COHb.
Post-CO poisoning, 10-30% develop delayed neuropsychiatric syndrome weeks later.
Smokers average 5-10% COHb, increasing atherosclerosis risk by 2-4x.
CO poisoning misdiagnosed as flu in 30-50% of cases initially.
Occupational CO exposure limit is 50 ppm TWA per OSHA.
CO at 800 ppm causes convulsions and coma in 2 hours.
Winter months see 5x more CO poisonings due to heating.

Health Impacts and Poisoning Interpretation

Despite its reputation as a silent killer, carbon monoxide boasts a disturbingly diverse portfolio: from impersonating the flu to cribbing fetal oxygen, it’s the uninvited guest that, with the efficiency of a bored bureaucrat, turns your own blood against you across a surprisingly broad demographic.

Production and Industrial Uses

Global industrial production of CO reaches about 50 million tons annually, primarily via steam reforming of natural gas.
In the steel industry, CO is produced via the blast furnace process at rates up to 1,200 Nm³/ton of pig iron.
Syngas, containing 40-60% CO, is produced at over 200 billion cubic meters annually worldwide for chemical synthesis.
CO is used in the Mond process for nickel purification, reacting to form volatile Ni(CO)₄ at yields >95%.
Hydroformylation (oxo process) consumes about 10 million tons of CO annually to produce aldehydes from alkenes.
In methanol synthesis, CO + 2H₂ → CH₃OH uses 20-30 million tons of CO equivalent per year globally.
Fischer-Tropsch process converts CO-rich syngas to hydrocarbons, producing 1-2 million barrels/day in major plants.
CO is generated in partial oxidation of hydrocarbons, with methane partial oxidation yielding 70-80% CO selectivity.
Coal gasification produces syngas with 30-50% CO content, accounting for 20% of global syngas production.
Acetic acid production via Monsanto process uses CO and methanol, consuming 5 million tons CO/year.
CO laser uses CO as the active medium, achieving wavelengths from 2.5 to 20 μm with power outputs up to 100 kW.
In metal carbonyls production, like Fe(CO)₅, CO usage is about 100,000 tons annually for catalysts.
Steam reforming of natural gas produces 50-60% H₂ and 30-40% CO, with global capacity >100 million tons H₂ equivalent.
Biomass gasification yields syngas with 15-30% CO, contributing to 5% of renewable syngas production.
Dry reforming of methane (CO₂ + CH₄ → 2CO + 2H₂) is emerging, with pilot plants producing 10-20 tons CO/day.

Production and Industrial Uses Interpretation

Despite its notorious role as a silent killer, carbon monoxide is, ironically, the unsung workhorse of modern industry, clandestinely powering everything from the steel in our skyscrapers and the fuel in our cars to the chemicals in our products and the lasers in our labs.

Properties and Chemistry

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas with a molecular weight of 28.01 g/mol, slightly less dense than air at 0.967 g/L.
CO has a boiling point of -191.5°C and a melting point of -205.02°C under standard atmospheric pressure.
The bond dissociation energy of the carbon-oxygen triple bond in CO is 1072 kJ/mol, making it one of the strongest known chemical bonds.
CO exhibits a dipole moment of 0.122 Debye due to its slight polarity from the lone pair on carbon.
Infrared absorption spectrum of CO shows a strong peak at 2143 cm⁻¹ corresponding to the C≡O stretch vibration.
CO solubility in water at 20°C and 1 atm is 0.0284 g/L, increasing with pressure per Henry's law constant of 0.934 L·atm/mol.
The ionization energy of CO is 14.014 eV, with the first ionization removing an electron from the 5σ orbital.
CO forms coordination complexes with metals, such as [Fe(CO)₅], where it acts as a ligand via σ-donation and π-backbonding.
Thermal conductivity of CO at 25°C and 1 atm is 0.02476 W/m·K.
Viscosity of gaseous CO at 20°C is 1.77 × 10⁻⁵ Pa·s.
CO has a critical temperature of -140.2°C and critical pressure of 34.99 atm.
Heat capacity (Cp) of CO gas at 25°C is 29.14 J/mol·K.
CO reacts with oxygen to form CO₂ with an activation energy of approximately 167 kJ/mol in the gas phase.
Equilibrium constant for CO + H₂O ⇌ CO₂ + H₂ (water-gas shift) at 227°C is K=10.
CO binds to hemoglobin with an affinity 210-250 times greater than oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin (COHb).

Properties and Chemistry Interpretation

Carbon monoxide, a gas of lethal charm, is so disarmingly light and invisible, yet so chemically stubborn and binding, that its innocent whispers asphyxiate you while it snuggles into your blood with the tenacity of a scorned lover.

Safety Measures and Regulations

CO detectors must alarm at 70 ppm for 1-4 hours per UL 2034 standard.
EPA NAAQS for 8-hour CO average is 9 ppm, 1-hour 35 ppm since 1971.
OSHA PEL for CO is 50 ppm 8-hour TWA, 200 ppm ceiling.
NIOSH REL is 35 ppm TWA, 200 ppm ceiling for 15 min.
WHO indoor guideline: 9 ppm 8-hr, 25 ppm 1-hr, 90 ppm 15-min.
All new homes in UK require CO alarms since 2001 Building Regs.
US CPSC mandates CO alarms in all dwellings since 2011.
NFPA 720 requires CO detectors in residences with fuel-burning appliances.
California AB 1837 bans single-family home sales without CO detectors.
EU Directive 2000/39/EC sets workplace CO limit at 30 mg/m³ (26 ppm).
Portable generator CO emissions regulated <430 ppm at 23 ft per EPA.
Vent-free gas heaters limited to 0.01% CO emission by ANSI Z21.11.2.
Annual CO detector testing required in hotels per NFPA 101.
Canada mandates CO alarms in all new dwellings since 2006.
Australia AS 3780 standard for CO alarms: alarm at 70 ppm within 120 min.
US annual CO deaths dropped 50% from 1999-2010 due to detectors.
Chimney sweeps required annually for wood stoves per EPA.
Forklift CO emissions limited to 200 ppm average per OSHA.
CO exposure monitoring required in tunnels per EU Dir 92/104.
Massachusetts law requires CO detectors in all residential buildings.

Safety Measures and Regulations Interpretation

The unsettling truth is that while science tells us breathing invisible CO fumes at just 9 ppm over eight hours is harmful, our alarms are legally designed to only wake us up after we've spent a cozy evening marinating in four times that amount.

Sources & References

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