Carbon monoxide chronic exposure

Toxicity of this compound is not reported. Although air stable at ambient temperature, upon heating it emits toxic carbon monoxide. Chronic exposure to its vapors or dusts can cause bronchitis. Ingestion is likely to produce the toxic effect of mngsten oxides. 

Air-poUutant effects on neural and sensory functions in humans vary widely. Odorous pollutants cause only minor annoyance yet, if persistent, they can lead to irritation, emotional upset, anorexia, and mental depression. Carbon monoxide can cause death secondary to the depression of the respiratory centers of the central nervous system. Short of death, repeated and prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can alter sensory protection, temporal perception, and higher mental functions. Lipid-soluble aerosols can enter the body and be absorbed in the lipids of the central nervous system. Once there, their effects may persist long after the initial contact has been removed. Examples of agents of long-term chronic effects are organic phosphate pesticides and aerosols carrying the metals lead, mercury, and cadmium. 

Exposure to carbon monoxide resulting from inadequate ventilation and/or leakage of combustion products may cause headaches, chronic tiredness or muscular weakness. High concentrations or long-term exposure may be fatal. Normal resuscitation methods and medical advice should be sought for those suffering from these effects. 

From the above it can be concluded that the risk for lung cancer induction from chronic indoor exposure to Rn-d is unlikely to be higher than 1.10 4/mSv. in order to understand the magnitude of this risk it has to be emphasized that man can be exposed to a multitude of different hazardous materials in the indoor atmosphere besides Rn-d, such as formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrosamines, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, asbestos and pesticides (Gammage and Kaye, 1985). 

Constant exposure to kiln firings may cause chronic lung problems, such as emphysema. Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur (symptoms are lethargy and a continuing headache). Proper ventilation can prevent most kiln-induced health problems. 

A number of studies have examined the potential for airborne aluminum to induce respiratory effects in chronically exposed workers. Exposure to aluminum fumes and dust occurs in potrooms where hot aluminum metal is recovered from ore, in welding operations, and the production and use of finely powdered aluminum. Wheezing, dyspnea, and impaired lung function have been observed in potroom workers (Bast-Peetersen et al. 1994 Chan-Yeung et al. 1983 Simonsson et al. 1985). Because these workers were also exposed to a number of other toxic chemicals including sulfur dioxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carbon monoxide, and hydrogen fluoride, it is difficult to ascribe the respiratory effects to aluminum. 

Chandra, H., B.N.Gupta, S.K.Bhargava, S.H.Clerk, and P.N.Mahendra. 1980. Chronic cyanide exposure A biochemical and industrial hygiene study. J. Anal. Toxicol. 4(4) 161—165. Chaturvedi, A.K., D.C.Sanders, B.R.Endecott, and R.M.Ritter. 1995. Exposures to carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and their mixtures Interrelationship between gas exposure concentration, time to incapacitation, carboxyhemoglobin and blood cyanide in rats. J. Appl. Toxicol. 15(5) 357—363. 

Wilks, S.S., Tomashefski, J.F., Clark, R.T. (1959). Physiological effects of chronic exposure to carbon monoxide. J. Appl. Physiol. 14 305-10. 

Smoking kills because of the smoker s chronic exposure to carbon monoxide, tar, and nicotine in tobacco smoke. 

Chronic, low-level carbon monoxide exposures produce decreased birth weights, cardiomegaly, EKG changes, and disruptions of cognitive function in several animal models. Rabbits exposed to carbon monoxide for 11 weeks demonstrated plaque formation in cardiac vessels indistinguishable from those seen from atherosclerotic heart disease. 

The Clean Air Act recognizes a number of so-called primary air pollutants, and the EPA has established standards for these substances. Ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide are among these (the others are carbon monoxide and lead, discussed below, and total suspended particulates ). EPA s standard for ozone is 0.12 parts of the gas per million parts of air (0.12 ppm), as a one-hour exposure limit that is not to be exceeded more than once yearly. Nitrogen dioxide s limit is 0.05 ppm as an annual average. These standards are designed to prevent chronic respiratory toxicity of any type. 

Barrowcliff DF, Knell AJ Cerebral damage due to endogenous chronic carbon monoxide poisoning caused by exposure to methylene chloride. Journal of Social and Occupational Medicine 29 12-14, 1979... 

Toxicity data are not available for this compound. Chronic exposure to its dusts has the potential to produce damaging effects on the pulmonary system and the central nervous system. Skin or eye contact can cause irritation. When heated, it emits toxic carbon monoxide. 

Carbon monoxide at high levels can cause myocardial infarction in otherwise healthy individuals and, at lower levels, can aggravate ischemia in the face of established atherosclerotic heart disease (ASHD). Chronic exposure to carbon monoxide may also be associated with ASHD. Many jurisdictions automatically grant workers compensation to firemen or policemen with ASHD, regarding it as a stress-related occupational disease. This is related to social policy rather than established epidemiologic risk. 

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