A Proposal for Evaluating Human Exposure to Carbon Monoxide Contamination in Military Vehicles
Abstract
Presently, the Army evaluates the severity of CO toxic hazard to weapon system crews by applying the same Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) standards used when evaluating toxic hazard to the industrial/civilian community. A more realistic method of evaluation for Army personnel is proposed which accounts for the CO actually inspired by the exposed individual by predicting the carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) in the blood at any time during and subsequent to the exposure. The prediction (calculated by an empirical equation) is based upon knowledge of the ambient CO concentration, the duration of the exposure and the physical exertion of the exposed person. COHb blood content is closely related to the medical effects of CO exposure and is the prime basis for both the evaluation procedure and the standard proposed in this report. Additional subjects discussed in this report include the chronology of civilian and military standards and limits governing CO exposure, the test requirements including details which are necessary to implement the proposed evaluation method and suggested areas for future research for reducing CO exposure and potentially improving vehicle design. Also included is an example which applies the COHb equation (for predicting COHb blood content) to some hypothetical data.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA040799
Entities
People
- Gerald D. Nielsen
- Seymour Steinberg
Organizations
- Human Engineering Laboratory