Eleven new cars were driven around a 35 km route comprising heavily trafficked roads in and around london, and the concentrations of carbon monoxide inside and immediately outside the vehicles were continuously monitored. Average levels of carbon monoxide between 12 and 60 parts per million were found inside the cars, and these levels were between 30 and 80 per cent of the external concentrations. The internal levels varied according to external changes but the changes were greatly damped by the buffering effect of the ventilation system. Differences in internal carbon monoxide levels were more marked between vehicles than for different runs in the same vehicle and were probably due to differences in the ventilation systems. Blood carboxy-haemoglobin concentrations which would arise from the carbon monoxide exposures were calculated. Published data suggest that carboxy-haemoglobin concentrations within the range found (1.5-3.0 per cent) would not be expected to produce an adverse effect on health; there are conflicting views as to whether driving performance would be impaired. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting