Exposure to Carbon Monoxide in Enclosed Multi-Level Parking Garages in the Central Athens Urban Area

Abstract

This study is a first attempt concerning the estimation of carbon monoxide (CO) levels in enclosed parking garages in the Athens urban area. Indoor air monitoring was conducted on randomly selected days, in autumn 1999, at six downtown enclosed garages. In each garage, different sites were chosen in relation to garage configuration for the monitoring of CO levels, and all sites were monitored concurrently. A portable electrochemical CO monitor was used to record the CO concentration every 15 s. It was found that there were excesses for both short- and long-term exposure limits to CO. The results showed that CO levels varied significantly over site, time and day of measurement. Mean exit site/indoor site ratios of CO levels ranged from 0.2 to 0.8. Indoor CO concentration patterns at different sites are discussed, and the main variables affecting CO levels are explained. Descriptive statistics and graphical displays are presented.