3 Types of Common Gas Hazards

Gas is a substance that has no definite shape; it's all around you. It's the air you breathe in, it fuels your car and it powers your cooking and heating appliances.

But, gas can also be dangerous. The presence, or lack of, some chemicals in the atmosphere can damage your health, if not spontaneously combust. Also, because they're usually odorless and colorless, it's hard to know if you're already at risk. Thankfully, there are fixed gas detection systems that can help you with just that. The following are the 3 types of hazards that these devices can detect.

Toxic Gases

When it comes to hazards, the most toxic gases commonly take the form of vapors, dust, or fumes that negatively affect a person's health. While each substance has unique properties (some being odorless while others have a foul smell), all of them can be deadly once inhaled or absorbed through the skin in concentrated amounts. Here are some examples:

Carbon Monoxide (CO): This is a by-product of burning carbon-based fuels like gas and wood and has no scent or color. Once it enters the bloodstream, it reduces the hemoglobin's ability to carry oxygen.

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S): This is also known as "sewer gas." It smells like rotten eggs and can irritate eyes, noses, and throats or cause such serious side effects as shock and convulsions.

Solvents: Vapor from kerosene, gasoline, and degreasers are toxic, too. If inhaled, they can damage the central nervous system and cause dizziness, drowsiness, and even a complete shutdown of the brain.

The best way to prevent these substances from affecting your physiology is by minimizing your exposure to them. If you smell anything unusual, inspect your sewer, valve, and exhaust pipes and seal any leaks. You can also install a carbon monoxide detector inside your kitchen. Once the level of CO in the atmosphere reaches a hazardous amount, this device will alert you and open exhaust vents to control the situation.

Oxygen Depletion

Not inhaling chemicals can also be dangerous to your health, especially if it's oxygen (O). This substance flows through your bloodstream and fuels your cells. Essentially, it's the gas that gives people life - and thankfully, it makes up 20% of ambient air.

But, once the oxygen level in the atmosphere drops, the amount that people can breathe in also decreases until it’s completely depleted. If this happens, the body will suffer from hypoxemia, leading to such symptoms as:

• Rapid heart rate
• Sweating
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Confusion
• Change in skin color

Oxygen depletion often occurs in sealed rooms. If there's no ventilation that will introduce ambient air inside, or there are other things that rapidly consume oxygen, then a person can suffer from hypoxemia. To prevent this, having an oxygen sensor that will continuously monitor the level of breathable air that can help.

Explosive Gases

Most forms of gases are highly unstable - and when they come into contact with an ignition source, an explosion is likely. Some examples of combustible gases are:

• Methane(CH4)
• Propane (C3H8)
• Butane (C4H10)
• Hydrogen (H)

Evaporated fuel like gasoline, ethanol, and other industrial by-products are also intrinsically combustive. This is why gasoline stations, power plants, and manufacturing sites have fixed gas detection systems installed inside their premises. These devices provide a real-time reading of the substances in the atmosphere and will sound an alarm once hazards are detected. This way, people in the vicinity can take the proper emergency action.

Weston Barnes is a write and an avid reader. When he's not writing about business, marketing, health, pets, or relationships, he's immersed in his latest book.