Carbon Dioxide (CO2) & Carbon Monoxide (CO)

A recent post in a mobile grooming group featuring a (CO2) monitor (circled to the left) sparked some discussion when it was initially assumed it was a (CO) detector. The important differences are discussed below.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the most abundant gases in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide plays an important part in vital plant and animal processes, such as photosynthesis and respiration.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas resulting from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuel burning, such as fuels from automobiles, buses, trucks, small engines, boilers, and some industrial processes. Carbon monoxide (CO) in grooming vans is very dangerous to the health of the groomer and the pets in their care.

Lead acid batteries used in the Hanvey Conversion do not emit carbon monoxide. They do, however, emit hydrogen. Carbon monoxide detectors can activate when exposed to trace amounts of hydrogen. Hydrogen gas, like carbon monoxide, is a colorless and odorless gas. This can occur when the batteries are low and are exposed to “bulk charging” at the end of a long workday.