13.10.2   Dose, quantity of harmful substance
The quantity of a poison in the body is described as the dose. A distinction is drawn between the toxic and the lethal dose. The latter ranges between 0.001 g and 0.5 g for different poisons.
 
The maximum admissible concentration is the concentration of a gas, vapor or dust which a human can inhale for eight hours daily, i.e. year-round constant exposure, without harmful effect. This is identical to the threshold limit value (TLV), which is the admissible concentration of a harmful substance (gas, vapor or dust) in the ambient air of a workplace. The TLV is usually stated in mg/m³.
 
At elevated concentrations, vapors and gases which have neither toxic nor narcotic properties may displace oxygen in the atmosphere. Air normally has an oxygen content of 20.95 vol.%; a drop in oxygen content to < 13 - 15% disrupts human bodily functions, causing headaches, reduced visual acuity, fatigue, ringing in the ears and loss of coordination.
 
When transporting fruit and vegetables, accidents may occur due to the build-up of CO2.
 
Carbon dioxide concentrations of just 2 - 6 vol.% in inhaled air are harmful to humans, causing labored breathing. Duration of exposure is significant in determining the degree of harm: breathing air with a CO2 content of 3.5 vol.% for half to one hour will endanger human life.
 
8 - 10 vol.% carbon dioxide in the inhaled air cause shortness of breath, unconsciousness and, after 6 - 10 minutes' inhalation, death. A concentration of 20 vol.% in the inhaled air is immediately fatal.
 
Excessive concentrations of carbon dioxide are life-threatening to humans in two ways:
  • by asphyxiation (by displacement of atmospheric oxygen)
     
  • to a minor extent by intoxication (due to carbon dioxide's intrinsic irritant action on certain parts of the brain)
The TLV for CO2 concentration is 0.49 vol. %.
 

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