Influence of Prolonged Carbon Monoxide Exposure and High Altitude on the Composition of Blood and Urine in Man

Abstract

The influence of exposure to carbon monoxide [average carboxyhaemoglobin saturation 13 per cent) and high altitude (3.454 m) on a number of compounds in blood and urine was investigated in 8 healthy volunteers for 8 and 10 days respectively. Reticulocyte counts increased 2–3 fold; moderate increases were seen in the urinary volume, on an average 400–800 ml/24 hrs. Compared to the remaining days of the study significantly higher amounts of sodium, chloride and calcium were excreted on the first day of exposure to both forms of hypoxia.

Key-words:

• Hypoxia
• carbon monoxide
• reticulocytes
• urinary volume
• sodium
• chloride
• calcium
• potassium
• phosphorus
• magnesium
• haematocrit
• glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
• lactate dehydrogenase
• creatinine