Why is carbon dioxide considered hazardous to water treatment plant staff?

Carbon dioxide is considered hazardous to water treatment plant staff primarily because it can cause suffocation due to a lack of oxygen. In enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces, elevated levels of carbon dioxide can displace oxygen in the atmosphere, leading to a situation where there is insufficient oxygen available for breathing. This condition can result in dizziness, unconsciousness, and potentially fatal outcomes if exposure is prolonged.

Understanding the properties of carbon dioxide is critical for maintaining a safe working environment in water treatment facilities. While it is also important to consider other potential risks associated with carbon dioxide, such as its effects on equipment or the environment, the immediate threat it poses to personnel’s oxygen levels makes suffocation due to high concentrations of carbon dioxide a primary concern.