Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to page options Skip directly to site content

Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS)

Carbon dioxide

RTECS #

FF6400000

CAS #

124-38-9

Updated

December 2013

Molecular Weight

44.01

Molecular Formula

CO2

Synonyms

Anhydride carbonique (French)
Carbon dioxide (ACGIH:OSHA)
Carbon oxide
Carbonic acid anhydride
Carbonic acid gas
Carbonic anhydride
Dry ice
Khladon 744
Kohlendioxyd (German)
Kohlensaure (German)
R 744

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/rat 6 pph/24H (10D pregnant)Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Cardiovascular (circulatory) system

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Respiratory system		CIRUAL 8,1218,1960
inhalation/rat 6 pph/24H (10D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Growth statistics (e.g., reduced weight gain)CIRUAL 8,1218,1960
inhalation/mouse 55 pph/2H (3D male)Reproductive: Paternal effects: Spermatogenesis (including genetic material, sperm morphology, motility, and count)JRPFA4 13,165,1967
inhalation/mouse 55 pph/4H (6D male)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Male fertility index (e.g., # males impregnating females per # males exposed to fertile nonpregnant females)JRPFA4 13,165,1967
inhalation/mouse 2 pph/8H (10D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants)

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system		TJADAB 30,187,1984
inhalation/rabbit 13 pph/4H (9-12D pregnant)Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal systemZMOAAN 56,165,1965

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/Dog lowest published toxic concentration: 5 pphCardiac: Changes in coronary arteries

Cardiac: Pulse rate decreased with fall in BP

Vascular: BP elevation not characterized in autonomic section		VCVN1* -,327,1988
inhalation/Dog lowest published toxic concentration: 10 pphLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea

Autonomic Nervous System: Other (direct) parasympathomimetic		VCVN1* -,327,1988
inhalation/human Lowest published lethal concentration: 11 pphVCVN1* -,328,1988
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 0.25 pphLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea

Vascular: Other changes		VCVN1* -,328,1988
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 2.5 pphCardiac: Pulse rate decreased with fall in BP

Behavioral: Headache

Vascular: BP elevation not characterized in autonomic section		VCVN1* -,328,1988
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 7 pphBehavioral: Irritability

Brain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Body temperature decrease		VCVN1* -,328,1988
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 7 pph/20MBehavioral: Excitement

Behavioral: Change in psychophysiological tests		JOPSEQ 19,494,2005
inhalation/human lowest published toxic dose: 7.5 pph/20MBehavioral: ExcitementJOPSEQ 21,42,2007
inhalation/human Lowest published lethal concentration: 9 pph/5MTABIA2 3,231,1933
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified) Lowest published lethal concentration: 90000 ppm/5MAEPPAE 138,65,1928
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified) lowest published toxic concentration: 11 pph/2HBlood: Normocytic anemiaVCVN1* -,327,1988
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified) lowest published toxic concentration: 70 pphCardiac: Arrythmias (indlucing changes in conduction)

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Changes in: K		VCVN1* -,327,1988
inhalation/man Lowest published lethal concentration: 40 pph/20MCardiac: Other changesJEMME* 36,353,2009
inhalation/mouse lowest published toxic concentration: 20 pphLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edemaVCVN1* -,327,1988
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 361 gm/m3/2HTPKVAL 9,7,1967
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 200000 ppm/2HTPKVAL 9,7,1967
inhalation/rabbit lowest published toxic concentration: 0.1 pph/20MBlood: Other changes

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Cabonic anhydrase		CEXPB9 27,95,2000
inhalation/rabbit lowest published toxic concentration: 5 pph/5HBlood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Blood: Changes in cell count (unspecified)

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Multiple enzyme effects		VCVN1* -,327,1988
inhalation/rabbit lowest published toxic concentration: 3 pph/7DBlood: Normocytic anemiaVCVN1* -,327,1988
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 21 pph/1HCardiac: Other changes

Cardiac: Pulse rate decreased with fall in BP

Cardiac: Arrythmias (indlucing changes in conduction)		VCVN1* -,327,1988

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/Dog lowest published toxic concentration: 4 pph/1H/7D- intermittentLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory stimulation

Blood: Changes in erythrocyte (RBC) count		TOXID9 72,296,2003
inhalation/mouse lowest published toxic concentration: 3 pph/5H/4W- intermittentOlfaction: Change in sensation of smell

Olfaction: Other olfaction effects		TOLED5 188,251,2009
inhalation/mouse lowest published toxic concentration: 3 pph/12H/4W- intermittentOlfaction: Change in sensation of smell

Olfaction: Other olfaction effects		TOLED5 188,251,2009
inhalation/rabbit lowest published toxic concentration: 27000 ppm/24H/30D- continuousBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)JPETAB 78,11,1943
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 10000 ppm/24H/30D- continuousBlood: Other changesJPETAB 78,11,1943

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 5000 ppm;short term exposure limit 30000 ppmDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWEVHPAZ 11,163,1975
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOLED5 140-141,239,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOLED5 140-141,125,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWJEADV* 13,14,1999
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWENTOX* -,639,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHUTOX* -,661,1996
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWREPTED 29,1,2010
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNBREV* 5,1,1981
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNTAPM* -,689,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUTAEX 28,485,2013

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 1988 PESTICIDE SUBJECT TO REGISTRATION OR RE-REGISTRATIONFEREAC 54,7740,1989
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 1998 STATUS OF PESTICIDESRED CompletedRBREV* -,299,1998
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3)DTLVS* 3,39,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 12500 ppm (22500 mg/m3) (in coal mines), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAshort term exposure limit 30000 ppm (54000 mg/m3) (in coal mines), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 30000 ppm (54000 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3);KZW 10000 ppm (18000 mg/m3), 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 5000 ppm (9131 mg/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMshort term exposure limit 30000 ppm (54784 mg/m3), Asphyxiant, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3), MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-ECtime-weighted average 9000 mg/m3 (5000 ppm), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 5000 ppm (9100 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANYMAK 5000 ppm (9.1 gm/m3), 2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 9 gm/m3, short term exposure limit 18 gm/m3, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPANOccupational Exposure Limit 5000 ppm (9 gm/m3), MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 30000 ppm (54000 mg/m3), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 15000 ppm, 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3); short term exposure limit 30000 ppm (54000 mg/m3), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3); short term exposure limit 30000 ppm (54000 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLANDMAC(time-weighted average) 9000 mg/m3, MAC(short term exposure limit) 27000 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIAtime-weighted average 5000 ppm, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 10000 ppm (18000 mg/m3), JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3), JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THAILANDtime-weighted average 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 9000 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINEStime-weighted average 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEYtime-weighted average 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 5000 ppm (9.15 gm/m3);short term exposure limit 15000 ppm (27.4 gm/m3), OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3)CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 5000 ppm (9000 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO CARBON DIOXIDE-air10H time-weighted average 5000 ppm;short term exposure limit 30000 ppmNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code X8532; Number of Industries 110; Total Number of Facilities 12913; Number of Occupations 95; Total Number of Employees Exposed 192401; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 17538
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 17367; Number of Industries 310; Total Number of Facilities 70119; Number of Occupations 186; Total Number of Employees Exposed 1121046; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 222613
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 17367; Number of Industries 239; Total Number of Facilities 35989; Number of Occupations 150; Total Number of Employees Exposed 447416

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Carbon dioxide, 6603
OSHA ANALYTICAL METHOD #ID-172

Follow NIOSH

NIOSH Homepage

TOP