Abstract
A method is presented by which an upper limit of the adverse health effect of existing ambient CO concentrations on the U. S. population can be estimated. The method is based upon estimating the primary human physiological response to CO concentrations (COHb%) for the population in terms of person-hour-COHb>1.5% resulting from the time exposure of the population to CO concentrations in excess of the federally designated ambient air quality standard. The estimates of person-hour-COHb>1.5% are for exposures only to ambient CO concentrations and do not take into account the additional CO exposure for people who smoke or have occupational exposures.
We estimate that there were up to 30.9×109 person-hour-COHb>1.5% in 1973 due to ambient concentrations in excess of the ambient 8-hour CO standard, with approximately 5×109 person-hour-COHb>1.5% occurring West of the Continental Divide and 25.9>109 person-hour-COHb>1.5% occuring East of the Continental Divide; of these 21.3×109 personhour-COHb>1.5% occurred in New York City. It was also estimated that a 60% reduction in 1973 ambient concentrations of CO (corresponding to an automotive emmision standard of less than 15 g/mile) would be needed to reduce to zero the person-hour-COHb>1.5%. The maximum estimated effects on the U.S. population of increases in ambient CO concentration above 1973 levels are also presented.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.References
Coburn, R.F., Forster, R.E., and Kane, P.B., 1965, Considerations of the physiological variables that determine the blood carboxyhemoglobin in man: Jour. Clinical Investigation, v. 44, p. 1899–1910.
42nd U.S.C. and 1857 et seg., 49th U.S.C. & 1421, 1430 (enacted originally as P.L. 91–604, 84th Stat. 1676), 1970, Section 109.
Goldsmith, John R., and Landaw, Stephen, 1968, Carbon monoxide and human health: Science, v. 162, p. 1352–1359.
McIlvaine, Paul M., Nelson, William C., and Bartlett, Donald, 1969, Temporal variation of carboxyhemoglobin concentrations: Archives of Environmental Health, v. 19, p. 83–91.
National Academy of Sciences, 1974, Air quality and automobile emission control,in Health effect of air pollutants (for U.S. Senate Committee on Public Works): Washington, D.C., Govt. Printing Office—(a) v. 2, p.2–8; (b) v. 3, p. 111–117;(c) v. 4, p. 82.
National Air Pollution Control Administration, 1962, Air quality criteria for carbon monoxide: Washington, D.C., Pub. AP-62—(a) Fig. 8-4, p. 8–10; (b) Fig. 6-1, p. 6–2.
Office of Science and Technology, 1972, Cumulative regulatory effects on the cost of automotive transportation (RECAT): Report of the Ad Hoc Committee (Feb.), appendix I–N.
Ott, Wayne, and Mage, David, 1974, Interpreting urban carbon carbon monoxide concentrations by means of a computerized blood COHb model: Denver, Colorado, Air Pollution Control Assoc., Unpaginated report.
Peterson, Jack E., 1970, Postexposure relationship of carbon monoxide in blood and expired air: Archives of Environmental health, v. 21, p. 172–173.
—, and Stewart, Richard D., 1970, Absorption and elimination of carbon monoxide by inactive young men: Archives of Environmental Health, v. 21, p. 165–171.
Smith, Ralph G., 1968, discussion of Dinman, Bertram, Pathophysiologic determinants of community air quality standards for carbon monoxide: Jour. Occupational Medicine, v. 10, p. 446–462.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1971, National primary and secondary ambient air quality standards: U.S. Fed. Register, v. 36, p. 8187.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Leaderer, B.P., Stolwijk, J.A.J. & Zagraniski, R.T. Health benefits due to reductions of CO levels. Environmental Management 1, 131–137 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01866103
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01866103