Key Takeaways
- 4.2 million deaths worldwide in 2019 were attributable to household (indoor) air pollution from solid fuels, where incomplete combustion also produces carbon monoxide
- Carbon monoxide poisoning is a leading cause of fatal poisonings in many countries, with global unintentional deaths estimated around 50,000 per year
- 0.1% (1,000 ppm) carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) is commonly used as a benchmark for physiological monitoring because CO exposure alters oxygen delivery
- Germany’s TRGS 900 occupational exposure limit (OEL) for carbon monoxide is 30 ppm (40 mg/m³) as an 8-hour TWA
- The European Union occupational exposure limit for carbon monoxide is 30 ppm (35 mg/m³) as an 8-hour time-weighted average under Directive 98/24/EC and related national transpositions
- The OSHA short-term exposure limit (STEL) for carbon monoxide is 200 ppm (29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1)
- Typical carbon monoxide alarms use response time specifications such that they must alarm within required times at specific CO concentrations (as specified by alarm standards like IEC 50291-1)
- Carbon monoxide has a Henry’s law constant that indicates relatively low solubility in water, affecting indoor and treatment dynamics (reported in chemical property databases)
- The NIOSH Pocket Guide lists carbon monoxide detection methods including electrochemical sensors and colorimetric detector tubes used for workplace monitoring
- Global anthropogenic CO emissions from energy, industry, transport, and residential burning are estimated around 700 Tg (teragrams) per year in global chemistry transport literature summarized for atmospheric CO
- In a widely used global CO inventory compilation, inter-annual variability in atmospheric CO mass burden is often within 10–20% for given seasons due to meteorology and emissions changes
- In the EU, CO exposure risk from fuel combustion is addressed via directives and national building requirements, including mandatory CO alarms in some member states where relevant thresholds are used
- In a randomized crossover study, 6–10 minutes of adequate ventilation reduced indoor carbon monoxide levels by more than 50% in test conditions with combustion sources
- The U.S. NIOSH recommends that confined-space gas monitoring includes checking for carbon monoxide before entry and continuously when there is a potential release
- In a systematic review, using properly designed ventilation and CO alarm interventions reduced CO poisoning risk in targeted settings compared with baseline conditions (meta-analytic effect direction reported across studies)
Household solid fuel pollution and vehicle exhaust drive deadly CO exposure, prompting alarms and ventilation to save lives.
Related reading
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Regulation & Standards
Regulation & Standards Interpretation
Properties & Testing
Properties & Testing Interpretation
Market & Supply
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Prevention & Mitigation
Prevention & Mitigation Interpretation
Exposure & Measurements
Exposure & Measurements Interpretation
Emissions & Burden
Emissions & Burden Interpretation
Health & Safety Burden
Health & Safety Burden Interpretation
Monitoring & Detection
Monitoring & Detection Interpretation
Interventions & Mitigation
Interventions & Mitigation Interpretation
How We Rate Confidence
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
Thomas Lindqvist. (2026, February 13). Carbon Monoxide Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/carbon-monoxide-statistics
Thomas Lindqvist. "Carbon Monoxide Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/carbon-monoxide-statistics.
Thomas Lindqvist. 2026. "Carbon Monoxide Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/carbon-monoxide-statistics.
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