Carbon monoxide and COHb concentration in blood in various circumstances

doi:10.1016/S0378-7788(03)00022-7

Energy and Buildings

Volume 35, Issue 9, October 2003, Pages 903-907

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-7788(03)00022-7 Get rights and content

Abstract

On the basis of known medical experiments we find out the correlation between the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) in inhaling air and the concentration of carboxihemoglobyne (COHb) in human blood. All internal combustion engines produce exhaust gases containing noxious compounds: carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides (NO_x), carbon oxides (CxHy) and smoke. In a living room is important the smoke of cigarettes, smoke of furnaces, improper ventilation. In tunnel is most dangerous the carbon monoxide if it exceed an allowable level. In human blood the carbon monoxide causes increasing the concentration of carboxihemoglobyne and in this case the hypoxia of web. With help of mathematical model the concentrations of some dangerous substances at the end of tunnel were calculated. For this case a differential equation also was developed and it shows the correlation between concentration of carbon monoxide in the air and concentration of carboxihemoglobyne in the blood. The constructed mathematical model shows circumstances in the tunnel (velocity of air moving as effect of induction, concentration of noxious substances and criterial number). Also a corresponding computer program was developed, which makes possible a quick and simple calculations. All the results are proved by experiments. Finally the differential equation was done, which shows a temporal connection between both parameters as a function of tunnel characteristics.

Section snippets

Introduction [7]

Carbon monoxide (CO) is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Fifteen hundred people die annually due to accidental carbon monoxide exposure, and additional 10,000 seek medical attention.

Carbon monoxide is a flammable, colorless, odorless, tasteless toxic gas produced during incomplete combustion of fuel—natural gas, oil, coal, wood, kerosene, etc.

Carbon monoxide inhibits the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen. In

Carbon monoxide poisoning [2,8]

Carbon monoxide can cause neurological problems in mature persons, and learning disabilities and developmental trouble in children and can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth for women exposed during pregnancy. Because children have faster metabolic rates than adults, they require more oxygen for vital organs such as the brain and the heart. Since carbon monoxide interferes with oxygen delivery, it can lead to damage to an infant’s developing nervous system. One reason for higher CO concentration

Connection between CO and COHb in tunnel [1–3]

Referring to [2], 727 experiments on the mortal victims of CO poison (autopsy) were realized. Superficial look on the results shows anarchy. So we must find out the connection between some parameters. The main relation between CO and COHb depends on time of exposition, human activity, and altitude. The temperature of environment in all 727 cases was practically equal. If we take in account all parameters, we can find out the correlation between results, which can be approximated with equation

Available computer program

For calculations we used program IDA [6]. IDA Road Tunnel Ventilation calculates air pressure, air flow, temperature as well as CO and nitrogen oxides (NO_x) contents in complex tunnel networks. The calculations are performed for a network of tunnels with an arbitrary geometry. The user enters a geometrical description of the tunnels, i.e. height and cross-section area along the length of the tunnel. Other input data are atmospheric conditions, including wind pressure, at the entrances of the

COHb concentration in blood

From Table 1 we find out, that the basic concentration of COHb in a smoker’s blood is 5% (average). This is a “for loading”. Now we solve the differential Eq. (3) by computer program on numerical way [5], and we take in account for loading of 5%.

Conclusion

Concentration of carbon monoxide under level 100 ppm (0.01%) is not dangerous because the risk limit about 25% of carboxihemoglobyne appears in time longer as 20 min, except by persons with great “for loading”. Danger appear also by very high concentrations of carbon monoxide (in case of fire: 500 ppm) or if tunnel ventilation by long tunnel is out of order, but in tunnels shorter as 3000 m in normal use there are no problems.

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