Measuring human exposure to carbon monoxide in Washington, DC, and Denver, Colorado, during the winter of 1982-1983

Abstract

A methodology for measuring the frequency distribution of carbon monoxide (CO) exposure in a representative sample of an urban population has been developed and applied in two urban areas: Washington, DC, and Denver, CO during the winter of 1982-1983. Exposure data using personal exposure monitors (PEMS) were collected, together with activity data from a stratified probability sample of residents living in each of the two urban areas. Well established survey sampling procedures were used for the selection of individuals. The resulting exposure data permit estimates of CO exposure for the eligible populations of the two areas, as well as statistical comparisons between population subgroups (e.g., commuters vs. noncommuters and residents with and without gas stoves). Results indicated that over 10% of the residents in Denver and 4% of the Washington, DC, residents were exposed to CO levels above 9 ppm for 8 h during the study period. The data also provide evidence for judging the accuracy of exposure estimates calculated from fixed site monitoring data.