Breaking news:
CO = carbon monoxide CO2 = carbon dioxide CO ≠ CO2
You can't see, taste, smell or hear either of these.
One is a result of complete combustion (yay). One is a result of incomplete combustion (uh-oh).
But, due to the Covid pandemic, you're likely hearing about CO2 in schools right now.
Folks, these aren't the same things.
Onto the lesson:
Suddenly, there's all this extra money available to install CO2 monitors for "air quality observation and monitoring." (My thoughts on this are a post for another time.)
CO2 Monitors + Detectors (Covid air quality related) ARE NOT CO monitors, alarms or Detectors (toxic gas detection).
These detectors:
(a) are not measuring the same gas (b) measure gas differently (CO2 measures using infrared sensors, CO detection typically uses electrochemical sensors)
When a CO2 monitor is installed and alerts in your child's classroom, it's shouting:
"Hey! There's not a lot of fresh air in this classroom! This means air (that includes coughs, sneezes now in aerosol particles) between breathing individuals and germs are more likely to spread!"
When a CO alarm or detectors is installed alerts in your child's classroom, it's shouting:
"GET THE EFF OUT OF THIS SPACE AND INTO THE OUTDOORS IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT WAIT. YOU'VE ALREADY BEEN EXPOSED AT A HEALTH-HAZARDOUS AMOUNT. ALERT EVERYONE AROUND YOU AND CALL 911."
So, if you're interested in purchasing a detector for the protection of your child at school, might I interest you in one that focuses on saving their life?