SCBA Add. 3 References

Question 1

Carbon monoxide is one of the most abundant of fire gases and poisons by asphyxiation. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, making it impossible to detect. Since it combines with hemoglobin (an oxygen carrying constituent of the blood) ___ times more readily than oxygen does, carbon monoxide rapidly robs the blood of oxygen needed by the body.
Fill in the Blank

Answer 1

210 times

Question 2

Hydrogen cyanide is a gas that is colorless but has a noticeable odor. What does Hydrogen cyanide smell like?

Answer 2

Almond odor. A concentration as low as 270 ppm (parts per million) is fatal.

Question 3

At fires involving plastics, and also petroleum, there may be acrolein in the air. In homes, it can arise from the burning of acrilan in carpeting or acrylic light diffusers. Its extreme irritation to your nose can be felt at less than __ ppm. It can damage your eyes.
Fill in the blank

Answer 3

10 ppm

Question 4

Phosgene COC12 is tasteless, and is odorless at first, but at 6 ppm it has what type of smell?

Answer 4

A musty-hay smell

Question 5

Acetaldehyde is less irritating than formaldehyde but it depresses the central nervous system
more strongly. What type of odor does it have?

Answer 5

Its fruity odor may be masked by other odors present.