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<br />- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />-. <br /> <br />- <br />._. <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />-- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />.. <br /> <br />... <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />..'.-.--- <br /> <br />;'-'" ,;' <br />'. ", ' <br /> <br />,'. ,......,..i..,):e-.... <br />:, .:. ',:~.:, :.,-~,::,~\,;;'-'.-..._:,~-- <br /> <br />1.:2T <br /> <br />Division: Air Pollution Control Division <br />James H. Lents J DIrector <br /> <br />A. CARBON HONOXIDE EXPOSURE <br /> <br />In Colorado, emissIons from motor vehicles represent the largest single source category for ambient concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO). <br />Also, emIssIons from traditional large stationary sources along with wood burning devIces snd other home heating units, and open burning also <br />contribute significant emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) into the ambient air. CO Is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gss which has direct <br />health effects on people. It, enters the body through the lungs~ where it Is absorbed into the blood stream. <br /> <br />'nle main health effect of CO is its affinity to attach to the oxygen carrying hemoproteins. particularly hemoglobin, where it displaces oxygen <br />from red blood cells. Hemoglobin binds 240 times more readily with CO than oxygen. Blood laden with CO can weaken heart contractions, <br />lowering the volume of blood and oxygen distributed to various parts of the body. The depletion of oxygen affects the central nervous system <br />causing impairment of judgment and reaction or respons~ abilities. Prolonged exposure to high levels will cause death. In Table II-I, the <br />known health consequences of CO induced tissue deficits of oxygen are summarized. <br /> <br />EPA has concluded that the following groups may be particularly sensitive to exposures of CO: angina patients. individuals with other types of <br />cardiovascular disease, persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease~. anemic individuals. fetuses. and pregnant women. Concern also <br />exists for healthy children because of the increased oxygen requirements that result from their higher metabolic rate. <br /> <br />TABLE II-l <br /> <br />ESTIMATED HEALTH EFFECTS LEVELS FOR CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSDRE <br /> <br />EFFECTS <br /> <br />COllb CONCENTRATION <br /> <br />EXPOSURE DURATlON <br />1 HOUR 8 1I0UR <br /> <br />Physiological Normal <br /> <br />0.30-0,70 <br /> <br />o <br /> <br />o <br /> <br />Possible aggravation of Angina Pectoris. <br />decreased exercise capacity in Angina <br />patients, intermittent claudication or <br />peripheral arterioclerosis. <br /> <br />1.8-3.0 <br /> <br />29-85 <br /> <br />6-18 <br /> <br />Decreased exercise capacity in both <br />impared and normal subjects, Imparement <br />of vigilance tasks in healthy <br />experimental subjects <br /> <br />3.0-6.5 <br /> <br />85-207 <br /> <br />18-45 <br /> <br />Linear relationship between COllb and <br />decreasing maximal oxygen consumption <br />during,strenuous exercise in young <br />healthy men. <br /> <br />5.0-20 <br /> <br />155-175 <br /> <br />33-170 <br /> <br />-19- <br /> <br />