Biological effects of carbon monoxide vs. whole emissions from engine with catalyst.

Abstract

The introduction of oxidizing catalytic converters in the exhaust system of automobiles has been found to be effective in reducing carbon monoxide, total hydrocarbons, and some other components of tailpipe emissions. Experiments were performed to show the biological effects of auto emissions due to CO alone or to other toxic constituents and to determine the efficacy of the converter in reducing or eliminating the effects. Some of the parameters most affected in adult rats exposed to whole emissions from engines without a converter were elevated hematocrit and hemoglobin, cardiac hypertrophy, loss in body weight and increased levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). This study confirmed early observations that the growth patterns of the various groups of rats exposed to emissions from an engine with catalyst or to CO (575 mg/m/sup 3/) were not significantly different from that of controls. It was concluded that the catalytic converter eliminated the deleterious effects due to CO by greatly reducing the emission of this toxic gas. It also seemed to be effective in preventing organ damages due to other toxic components of auto emissions yet to be identified.