pufferfish
Contributor
I have been trying unsuccessfully to get some answers about the risks of filling scuba tanks on smog alert days. In Toronto we now have hourly access to the levels of various contaminants in the ambient air we breath. Levels of CO, SO2, NO2, ozone, and particulates are rated on a risk index and displayed for the public to see in nice colour coded charts by location. A smog alert is issued when anyone of the contaminants reaches a certain level. Usually it is ozone or fine particulates that triggers the smog alert.
My understanding is that a well maintained electric compressor with a filter system will remove the CO and fine particulates from the fill but what about the NO2, SO2, and ozone? If these are not removed is there any info on hyperbaric exposure to these contaminants. I realize the concentration is important so let me post some data in Ontario from the year 2000.
SO2: highest 24 hour concentration was 78 ppb
highest one hour level 567 ppb
NO2: highest 24 hour concentration was 64 ppb
highest one hour level 156 ppb
(that highest 24 level is about 5km from my fill station)
Ozone : highest 24 hour 80 ppb
highest one hour level 110 ppb
If these contaminants are removed by the filtration system this is a non-issue, but if not what would one's risks be? I do not exercise outdoors during smog alerts so should I be getting scuba fills on these days? We see higher rates of asthma and other respiratory problems with these contaminants and SO2 is thought to worsen heart disease.
My understanding is that a well maintained electric compressor with a filter system will remove the CO and fine particulates from the fill but what about the NO2, SO2, and ozone? If these are not removed is there any info on hyperbaric exposure to these contaminants. I realize the concentration is important so let me post some data in Ontario from the year 2000.
SO2: highest 24 hour concentration was 78 ppb
highest one hour level 567 ppb
NO2: highest 24 hour concentration was 64 ppb
highest one hour level 156 ppb
(that highest 24 level is about 5km from my fill station)
Ozone : highest 24 hour 80 ppb
highest one hour level 110 ppb
If these contaminants are removed by the filtration system this is a non-issue, but if not what would one's risks be? I do not exercise outdoors during smog alerts so should I be getting scuba fills on these days? We see higher rates of asthma and other respiratory problems with these contaminants and SO2 is thought to worsen heart disease.
