Title: Quantitative measurement of carbon monoxide level in closed environment

Authors: Abhishek Agarwal; Dinesh Bhatia

Addresses: Biomedical Engineering Department, Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, Sonepat, Haryana-131039, India ' Biomedical Engineering Department, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong-793022, Meghalaya, India

Abstract: Carbon monoxide (CO) is a tasteless, colourless, odourless, non-irritating and toxic gas that is slightly lighter than air. It is produced by incomplete combustion of organic material due to insufficient oxygen supply to enable complete oxidation of carbon dioxide (CO₂). CO is harmful while inhaled because it combines with the oxygen carrying hemoglobin and, displaces oxygen in the blood that deprives the heart, brain, and other vital organs of oxygen, by which some people get hospitalised and die too. In this research, we measures CO level in parts per million (ppm) with the help of CO sensor (MQ-7) in the closed environment, i.e., in a poorly ventilated room or car. After exceeding permissible CO levels in closed environment, the measuring device will try to remove (exhaust fans) CO gas. If exhaust fans are unable to remove it from the closed surrounding, in that condition the measuring CO device will give a warning alarm alerting the user. The future application of this device would help to detect harmful CO gas in closed environment and decrease morbidity rates among people staying in closed environmental conditions for long duration of time.

Keywords: carbon monoxide poisoning; carboxyhaemoglobin; MQ-7; poor ventilation; parts per million; PPM; closed environments; CO levels; sensor measurements; CO detection.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMEI.2014.063174

International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics, 2014 Vol.6 No.3, pp.210 - 217

Published online: 26 Jul 2014 *

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