Excerpt

This public health statement tells you about carbon monoxide and the effects of exposure to it.

When a substance is released either from a large area, such as an industrial plant, or from a container, such as a drum or bottle, it enters the environment. Such a release does not always lead to exposure. You can be exposed to a substance only when you come in contact with it. You may be exposed by breathing, eating, or drinking the substance, or by skin contact.

If you are exposed to carbon monoxide, many factors will determine whether you will be harmed. These factors include the dose (how much), the duration (how long), and how you come in contact with it. You must also consider any other chemicals you are exposed to and your age, sex, diet, family traits, lifestyle, pregnancy status, and state of health.

Contents

• FOREWORD
• QUICK REFERENCE FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
• PEER REVIEW
• 1. PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT
  • 1.1 WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE?
  • 1.2 WHAT HAPPENS TO CARBON MONOXIDE WHEN IT ENTERS THE ENVIRONMENT?
  • 1.3 HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED TO CARBON MONOXIDE?
  • 1.4 HOW CAN CARBON MONOXIDE ENTER AND LEAVE MY BODY?
  • 1.5 HOW CAN CARBON MONOXIDE AFFECT MY HEALTH?
  • 1.6 HOW CAN CARBON MONOXIDE AFFECT CHILDREN?
  • 1.7 HOW CAN FAMILIES REDUCE THE RISK OF EXPOSURE TO CARBON MONOXIDE?
  • 1.8 IS THERE A MEDICAL TEST TO DETERMINE WHETHER I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO CARBON MONOXIDE?
  • 1.9 WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS HAS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MADE TO PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH?
  • 1.10 WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
• 2. RELEVANCE TO PUBLIC HEALTH
  • 2.1 BACKGROUND AND ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES TO CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE UNITED STATES
  • 2.2 SUMMARY OF HEALTH EFFECTS
  • 2.3 CARBON MONOXIDE DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
  • 2.4 MINIMAL RISK LEVELS (MRLs)
• 3. HEALTH EFFECTS
  • 3.1 INTRODUCTION
  • 3.2 DISCUSSION OF HEALTH EFFECTS
  • 3.3 GENOTOXICITY
  • 3.4 TOXICOKINETICS
  • 3.5 MECHANISMS OF ACTION
  • 3.6 TOXICITIES MEDIATED THROUGH THE NEUROENDOCRINE AXIS
  • 3.7 CHILDREN’S SUSCEPTIBILITY
  • 3.8 BIOMARKERS OF EXPOSURE AND EFFECT
  • 3.9 INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER CHEMICALS
  • 3.10 POPULATIONS THAT ARE UNUSUALLY SUSCEPTIBLE
  • 3.11 METHODS FOR REDUCING TOXIC EFFECTS
  • 3.12 ADEQUACY OF THE DATABASE
• 4. CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL INFORMATION
  • 4.1 CHEMICAL IDENTITY
  • 4.2 PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
• 5. PRODUCTION, IMPORT/EXPORT, USE, AND DISPOSAL
  • 5.1 PRODUCTION
  • 5.2 IMPORT/EXPORT
  • 5.3 USE
  • 5.4 DISPOSAL
• 6. POTENTIAL FOR HUMAN EXPOSURE
  • 6.1 OVERVIEW
  • 6.2 RELEASES TO THE ENVIRONMENT
  • 6.3 ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
  • 6.4 LEVELS MONITORED OR ESTIMATED IN THE ENVIRONMENT
  • 6.5 GENERAL POPULATION AND OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
  • 6.6 EXPOSURES OF CHILDREN
  • 6.7 POPULATIONS WITH POTENTIALLY HIGH EXPOSURES
  • 6.8 ADEQUACY OF THE DATABASE
• 7. ANALYTICAL METHODS
  • 7.1 BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
  • 7.2 ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES
  • 7.3 ADEQUACY OF THE DATABASE
• 8. REGULATIONS, ADVISORIES, AND GUIDELINES
• REFERENCES
• GLOSSARY
• APPENDIX A ATSDR MINIMAL RISK LEVELS AND WORKSHEETS
• APPENDIX B USER'S GUIDE
• APPENDIX C ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS, AND SYMBOLS

UPDATE STATEMENT: A Toxicological Profile for Carbon Monoxide, Draft for Public Comment was released in September 2009. This edition supersedes any previously released draft or final profile.

Toxicological profiles are revised and republished as necessary. For information regarding the update status of previously released profiles, contact ATSDR at: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences (proposed)/ Environmental Toxicology Branch (proposed), 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-62, Atlanta, Georgia 30333

THE PROFILE HAS UNDERGONE THE FOLLOWING ATSDR INTERNAL REVIEWS:

1. Health Effects Review. The Health Effects Review Committee examines the health effects chapter of each profile for consistency and accuracy in interpreting health effects and classifying end points.

2. Minimal Risk Level Review. The Minimal Risk Level Workgroup considers issues relevant to substance-specific Minimal Risk Levels (MRLs), reviews the health effects database of each profile, and makes recommendations for derivation of MRLs.

3. Data Needs Review. The Environmental Toxicology Branch (proposed) reviews data needs sections to assure consistency across profiles and adherence to instructions in the Guidance.

4. Green Border Review. Green Border review assures the consistency with ATSDR policy.

DISCLAIMER: Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the Public Health Service, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.