Skip to content
CarCareTruthProducts · Ranked

Carbon Dioxide

  • Other solvents
  • CAS 124-38-9
  • IUPAC: Carbon dioxide

Carbon Dioxide (CAS 124-38-9) appears in 39 of the 1,812 car-care products CarCareTruth tracks (as of June 2026).

Simple asphyxiant at very high concentrations. H280 (gas under pressure, may explode if heated). OSHA PEL 5,000 ppm TWA — far above concentrations from a brief aerosol spray in ambient air. No organ toxicity, carcinogenicity, or sensitization concerns.

Carbon dioxide is used as a non-flammable aerosol propellant in products like tire shines where reducing flammability is a design goal. Unlike propane/butane propellants, CO2 has no flash point and cannot form an explosive atmosphere. The trade-off is slightly lower spray consistency at temperature extremes compared to liquefied petroleum gas propellants.

The H280 classification (gas under pressure) is the only GHS hazard — the can may rupture if heated above 50°C (120°F), same as any pressurized aerosol. At ambient CO2 levels (typically 0.04% of air), there is no inhalation hazard from a brief spray. Only at sustained concentrations above ~5,000 ppm does CO2 become a simple asphyxiant concern — unreachable with consumer aerosol use.

No ozone-depleting potential (unlike older CFC/HFC propellants). The CO2 released per can is trivially small relative to any meaningful climate accounting threshold.

Health & environment profile

VOC
no
Prop 65 listed
no
Asthmagen
no
EPA Safer Choice
no
Aquatic toxicity
no
Biodegradable
no
Bioaccumulative
no
Persistent
no
Ozone depleting
no
Microplastic
no
PFAS
no
Env. score
4/5
Purpose: Non-flammable aerosol propellant; pressurizes aerosol cans for tire shines, engine degreasers, and similar products where flammability reduction is a formulation goal. In solvent-based engine degreasers, CO2 is the propellant of choice because it does not add flammable mass to an already combustible petroleum-distillate carrier.

Common questions about Carbon Dioxide

What is Carbon Dioxide used for in car care?
Non-flammable aerosol propellant; pressurizes aerosol cans for tire shines, engine degreasers, and similar products where flammability reduction is a formulation goal. In solvent-based engine degreasers, CO2 is the propellant of choice because it does not add flammable mass to an already combustible petroleum-distillate carrier.
Is Carbon Dioxide a VOC?
No. Carbon Dioxide is not classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
Is Carbon Dioxide on California's Proposition 65 list?
No. Carbon Dioxide is not on California's Proposition 65 list.

39 products contain this

Related

Health and environment notes translate the manufacturer Safety Data Sheet, the GHS classification, and authoritative regulatory listings (California Prop 65, EPA). Not medical advice. They describe the ingredient itself; whether a hazard applies to a finished product depends on its concentration and how it's used.