Common toxic gases found in the food and drinks industry
If you earn your trade in either the food or drinks production industry, your site will require constant monitoring to ensure the quality of the air inside your facility isn’t posing a threat to those working within. We can help you with that here at Gas Alarm Systems – we specialise in providing fixed gas detectors, as well as portable gas detectors that can be programmed to suit a range of different sectors, including food and drinks production facilities. Here are some of the most common types of toxic gases that you’ll find in the food and drinks industry, and how you can monitor them.
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Toxic gases found in the food industry
You’re probably already aware that all sorts of flammable and toxic gases are used for a wide variety of applications within the food production industry. Everything from baking, processing, and refrigerating makes use of some kind of toxic or flammable gas.
For instance, Ammonia may accumulate in refrigeration units as a byproduct of the cooling process, and it’s extremely toxic and flammable. Plus, chemicals like chlorine are often used as a disinfectant or bleaching agent for cleaning industrial food preparation spaces, and these emit toxic fumes which can be lethal if inhaled.
Plus, hydrogen sulfide is another common byproduct of various processes that occur within this industry, so it’s vital to have ample measures in place to protect you and your staff from potential exposure.
Toxic gases found within the drinks industry
Carbon dioxide is one of the most common gases utilised within the beverage industry. The gas is artificially pumped into beverages as a result of high pressure during their production (which is how fizzy drinks like lemonade, soda and lager get their bubbly texture). Carbon dioxide is also a gas that’s commonly used in the winemaking process – specifically in the blanketing stage, where it’s used to keep oxygen away from wine, helping to preserve the alcohol for longer.
Hydrogen sulfide is another very common toxic gas found within the drink industry, and can lead to odour problems if it’s not managed properly. The gas gets released into the air via wastewater that is contaminated with high levels of biodegradable organic substances.
What’s the best way to monitor these gases?
That’s where we can help – our fixed gas detection systems are installed in a permanent location, which helps to ensure the ongoing safety of your working environment. The device helps to monitor the release of toxic gases, oxygen deficiency or enrichment, as well as the presence of flammable gases and vapours. If triggered, it will alert any nearby staff members through a loud alarm system, allowing them to quickly initiate any shutdown procedures.
Toxic and flammable gases can pose a significant risk to your health and your work, so it’s vital to have some form of gas detection system in place to minimise the effects.
Here at Gas Alarm Systems, our extensive in-house experts have ensured that our clients have received the best in natural gas and carbon monoxide detection equipment for over 25 years. Feel free to browse our range of fixed gas detection systems and portable gas detection monitors, or if you have any questions or need any advice, by all means call us on 01423 862240, and we’ll be happy to see how we can help.
