Reasons and way to avoid air pollution

1. Air Pollution
Carbon Monoxide

2. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless,
non-irritant, odourless and tasteless
toxic gas. It is produced by the
incomplete combustion of
carbonaceous fuels such as wood,
petrol, coal, natural gas, and kerosene.
The molecular weight of carbon monoxide is
similar to that of air. It mixes freely with air in
any proportion and moves with air via bulk
transport. Carbon monoxide is not detectible
by humans either by sight, taste or smell. It is
only slightly soluble in water, blood serum
and plasma; in the human body, it reacts
with hemoglobin to form carboxyhaemo-
globin (COHb).

3. The highest reported non-accidental
carbon monoxide levels are
observed in public or residential
garages and in primitive kitchens
when cooking with open fires
(Guatemala). Aside from open-fire
cooking with solid fuels, the most
common sources for elevated
carbon monoxide concentrations in
indoor air are un-vented gas
appliances, tobacco smoking, and
proximity to busy traffic. The low-
est concentrations are found in
homes, churches, and schools at
some distance (> 500 metres) from
busy traffic and with no indoor
sources.

4. Lumio, in an extensive 1948 study
(114), found fatigue, headache,
vertigo, irritation, memory
impairment, tinnitus, and nausea
to be the most frequent
symptoms resulting from chronic
carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Walker speculates that if only 10% of
these appliances give off significant
amounts of carbon monoxide that
reach the breathing space of residents,
as many as 25 000 people every year
may be exposed to carbon monoxide in
their homes.

5. There are several health
concerns associated with
exposure to carbon monoxide.
The best-understood health
effects appear to be produced
by hypoxia due to the binding of
carbon monoxide to
hemoglobin, which reduces the
oxygen-carrying capacity of the
blood as well as decreases the
dissociation of oxygen into
extravascular tissue.

6. Acute exposure-related reduction of exercise tolerance
and increase in symptoms of ischaemic heart disease
(e.g. ST-segment changes) Chronic epidemiological
studies of cardiovascular morbidity (heart attack,
congestive heart failure, ischaemic heart disease)
Associations between short-term exposure to carbon
monoxide and hospital admissions or emergency
department visits for respiratory complaints derived from
chronic time-series studies.
Groups at highest risk from carbon monoxide exposure
include the unborn and those adults, elderly or not, with
coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure or
potential stroke, those at risk of sudden death, etc.
All of these higher-risk groups must be considered when
setting carbon monoxide guidelines for indoor air or, for
that matter, outdoor air, i.e. the guideline must be low
enough to protect all those at the highest risk.

7. You Can Prevent Carbon Monoxide Exposure
1. Do have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or
coal-burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
2. Do install a battery-operated or battery back-up CO detector in your home.
Check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring
and fall. If the detector sounds leave your home immediately and call 911.
3. Do seek prompt medical help if you suspect CO poisoning and are feeling dizzy,
light-headed, or nauseated.
4. Don’t use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline or charcoal-
burning device inside your home, basement, or garage or near a window.
5. Don’t run a car or truck inside a garage attached to your house, even if you
leave the door open.
6. Don’t burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isn’t vented.
7. Don’t heat your house with a gas oven.
8. Don’t use a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine less
than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent. Use an extension cord that is more
than 20 feet long to keep the generator at a safe distance.