Toxicity measurements short-term exposure limit

Carbon dioxide is toxic, can be an asphyxiant by virtue of oxygen displacement (described above), and can cause death due to paralysis of the respiratory centres (Hoather and Wright, 1989). The threshold limit value for CO2 is 0.5% and concentrations above 5% result in laboured breathing, headaches and visual disturbances. The long term occupational exposure limit (OEL) is 5,000 vpm and the short term occupational exposure limit (STEL) is 1.5% by volume. In most situations arising from landfill gas-associated problems, carbon dioxide toxicity will only occur when collection in an enclosed environment occurs. Under these conditions there would also be potential for explosion due to potentially high methane levels and gas control measures would be required to alleviate such a potentially dangerous situation. 

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