The graph below indicates the levels of CO that a person can be exposed to according to the time spent in a karting centre:

Levels of Carbon Monoxide Permitted According to Time Spent in a Kart Centre

• For an exposure not exceeding 15 minutes, the maximum average level of CO is 200ppm. For an exposure not exceeding 8 hours, the maximum average level is 30ppm.
• CO has a cumulative effect and so the degree of danger is related both to the concentration and the period of time a person is exposed. A person can therefore be exposed to a high level of CO for a short time, but as time passes, the danger increases siginificantly.
• The graph shows that kart centre staff are most at risk as they are likely to be exposed to CO for longer periods.

After a karting accident in 2001 at a centre in Essex, (staff over-exposure to CO gas), a COSHH (Control of Substance Hazardous to Health) report recommended that short-term measures should be put in place:

• The fire and shutter doors should be open during race meetings;
• The roof fans should be kept running for 30 minutes after racing has finished;
• Any track marshals should be rotated during 8-hour shifts.

Some longer term solutions were also suggested not only for the kart centre in question, but also for kart centres across the UK. Significantly, one of these included:

• '..fitting and maintaining catalytic converters. These should be mandatory at all indoor tracks....the CO concentration in the exhaust can be reduced from about 4.5% to 1%..'

Our Top Mount Kartalyst (TMA) has been TUV approved for emissions reduction. Please see our 'Test Results' section or more info.