Lack of Effects of High Level Carboxyhemoglobin on Compensatory Tracking and EEG Protocol 3
Abstract
The effects of 16-23% carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) were studied on compensatory tracking behavior in healthy young men. The COHb was produced by exposure to a bolus of high concentration of carbon monoxide (CO), followed by exposure to a continuous low level concentration of CO (223 ppm) designed to maintain the COHb value throughout the experiment (approximately 130 minutes). The compensatory tracking task consisted of trying to maintain a constantly moving spot in the center of an oscilloscope screen. The electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded during exposure. No significant effect of the COHb was found on the tracking task or EEG power spectrum. Even after extensive post hoc exploratory analyses, no suggestion of a plausible effect on tracking or EEG was found. The planned significance test had a moderate to high statistical power against effects of interesting size. The finding of no effect was somewhat surprising since other research had demonstrated effects of lower COHb levels on similar tasks. The level of COHb used in this study is considered to be extremely high. The differences in findings may reflect (a) inadequate statistical power for the size of effect (b) differences in task and variables between studies (c) differences due to COHb formation rates between studies or (d) peculiarities in the dose effects function of COHb. Keywords: Carbon monoxide; CO; Tracking; Flash detection; Carboxyhemoglobin; Human; Electroencephalography; EEG; Exposure physiology; Hand eye coordination; Stress physiology.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA206332
Entities
People
- Enid R. Kafer
- Karen S. Pieper
- Keith E. Muller
- Marjolein V. Smith
- Vernon A. Benignus
Organizations
- Environmental Protection Agency