Browsing by Author "McCarrick, Alan"
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Item Carbon Monoxide Release From Whole Bean Roasted Coffee in Storage(49th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2019-07-07) McCarrick, Alan; Letter, Benjamin; Neal, Sara JaneIndustrial coffee producers have experienced a few hazardous events involving carbon monoxide poisoning of employees working in enclosed spaces where roasted coffee has previously been. Coffee stored in flexible bags are fitted with vent valves allowing the off-gassing carbon dioxide to escape without stressing the bag and without allowing oxygen to enter causing degradation of the beans. What has not been considered until recently is the presence of carbon monoxide at much lower levels along with the carbon dioxide. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division has worked with a coffee producer to quantify the carbon monoxide release from freshly roasted beans. The levels of carbon monoxide in an enclosed space can easily reach toxic levels in a modest amount of time. Reasonable precautions are necessary to prevent accidental harm to people working in enclosed spaces where coffee is roasted or stored.