Why might dangerous gases in a confined space go undetected by physical senses?

Dangerous gases in confined spaces can indeed go undetected by physical senses for several reasons that all contribute to the hazard they pose.

Firstly, many toxic gases are colorless, meaning they cannot be visually identified. This invisibility makes it impossible for individuals to see the presence of such gases, allowing them to accumulate undetected.

Secondly, certain gases have no odor, which means they cannot be detected through the sense of smell. For example, carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that can be lethal, but occupants in a confined space would not be aware of its presence based solely on smell.

Lastly, the concentration of these gases can be low, making them even harder to detect. In low concentrations, gases may not produce noticeable effects or sensory warnings until they reach harmful levels.

All these factors combined mean that without proper detection equipment, individuals may be unaware of their exposure to dangerous gases, highlighting the importance of using gas detection technologies in confined spaces.