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Scientific Communications

Carbon Monoxide and Driving Skills

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Pages 349-354 | Received 14 May 1973, Accepted 19 Jun 1973, Published online: 22 Apr 2013
 

Abstract

Eighty milliliters of carbon monoxide (CO) or 80 ml of air was administered doubleblind to 50 adults (32 men, 18 women). Blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels increased by 3.4% in those receiving CO. Brake reaction time, night vision, glare vision, glare recovery, hand-steadiness, and depth perception all showed small and individually insignificant deterioration in the group receiving CO; grouping data in a nonparametric analysis, the performance difference became significant (P < .005). During operation of a driving simulator, the CO-exposed group showed a highly significant deficit in “careful driving” skills (P < .005), with a statistically insignificant facilitation of emergency-type movements. Since a 3.4% increase of COHb level is sufficient to prejudice safe driving, there is a need to revise the permitted eight-hour industrial CO exposure level of 50 ppm.

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