In cabin carbon monoxide and chronic health issues.

Discussion in 'Driver Health' started by NoelHunt, Apr 14, 2010.

  1. NoelHunt

    NoelHunt Bobtail Member

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    Hello,

    I am compiling some research into chronic low level exposure to carbon monoxide within truck cabins and wanted to guage some trucker views/experiences.

    The in-vehicle cabin environment is known to present some of the highest concentrations of carbon monoxide for any micro environment, often averaging a concentration of 25 parts per million. This is almost triple the threshold set by the World Health Organisation for safe ambient air.

    Domestic Carbon monoxide alarms are designed to alarm at acutely dangerous levels only (e.g. 70 ppm for 2 hours (in the US) & 30 ppm for 2hrs (in Europe)) and will therfore offer no protection for chronic exposure to levels as low as the WHO threshold.

    [FONT=&quot]The symptoms for even low level exposure to carbon monoxide can include straight forward feelings of being unwell such as headaches and nausea, through to more dangerous examples of cognitive impairment such as lack of concentration, disorientation, drowsiness, fatigue, and low mood - all symptoms any occupant of a vehicle could easily put down to another factor (such as ride quality), without even realising the possibility that the air they are breathing may be the actual or contributing cause.[/FONT]

    As well as normal cabin ingress during driving, there is the additional issue of providing overnight heating for driver comfort overnight. Sources of carbon monoxide can be the truckers own vehicle or any other proximate vehicle.

    Any views/experiences gratefully recieved.

    Thank You.

    Noel Hunt. (Researcher)
     
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  3. truckerdave1970

    truckerdave1970 On Probation

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    Holy cow! It's no wonder so many of those drivers are miserable sons of ####!
    If what you're saying is correct about low level carbon monoxide poisoning, it's a wonder why the all knowing ,all powerful government, who wants to protect us all hasnt stepped in to do something about this problem.
    Oops i forgot they don't care about unskilled labor!
     
  4. bullhaulerswife

    bullhaulerswife Forum Leader/Admin Staff Member Administrator

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    Wow, that would explain why our detector likes to chirp sometimes. AND it would explain some of my husbands "moods". I just thought it was him listening to too much doomsday Sirius. :biggrin_2551:

    Edit: Noel, what is OSHA's standpoint on this issue? Do you know???
     
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2010
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  5. Mrs T

    Mrs T Road Train Member

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    I guess my question is - are there any devices for measuring this low level stuff?

    you know, kinda like the badges radiographers wear to detect radiation exposure when working in the xray dept?

    Because 25 parts x 24 hours is - holy cow - 600!! :biggrin_2551:

    That's a heck of a lot more than the domestic alarm thresholds!!

    Guess we can't blame the Sirius, BHW:biggrin_2552:
     
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  6. Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

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    I know sleeping next to another truck that is running all night with a grass burner (down on the ground) exhaust system, and even sometimes an APU, I will sometimes wake up from the stink of exhaust fumes in my sleeper. I'm kinda sensitive to the smell, but have often wondered about putting a detector in the sleeper.
     
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  7. bullhaulerswife

    bullhaulerswife Forum Leader/Admin Staff Member Administrator

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    Yeah, exactly. I'm very interested in this. And if they need a test truck, I think that we'd be willing to put up with the equipment. I think that he's on to something here, and I'm behind this research. :yes2557:

    Noel. You can contact me through PM, as I am staff here, if you need anything in assisting you in this research.
     
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  8. Mrs T

    Mrs T Road Train Member

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    Just noticed you are in London, Noel.
    Where is your research based, Imperial?

    If you need to contact UK based drivers, there are a few kicking around in the Europe threads, mostly from oop norf but one or two suvveners too!
     
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  9. NoelHunt

    NoelHunt Bobtail Member

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    Hi there Truckerdave,

    The reasons for this indifference are historical. Carbon Monoxide has historically been treated as an acutely dangerous toxin - hence the current generation of 'binary' alarms which only alarm at acutely dangerous levels and which are relatively cheap to manufacture (even though they are expensive to purchase).

    These devices are designed to prevent fatality or injury - but not to protect your overall health and wellbeing! Furthermore, the above products are designed for healthy adults only (see the disclaimers on the packaging).

    They also ignore special risk factors such as the young, elderly, or sufferers from various cardiovascular conditions. All of these groups can be affected by levels as low as 5 ppm and ALL of this data can be found in WHO material.

    Of course, for professional drivers, who spend their whole working day in their cabin, the health risks are well known through various clinical and field studies but presently ignored... until ofcourse, awareness of the issue can be raised among the people with the real power to make a difference... truckers and professional drivers themselves.

    Many thanks for your comment & I hope by even participating in this discussion you will be better informed to protect yourself.

    Noel
     
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  10. NoelHunt

    NoelHunt Bobtail Member

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    Hi there,

    A chirping detector may or may not indicate carbon monoxide or simply that the batteries have run flat. Please check the manual and by the way I always have 2 or more detectors from 2 or more manufactureres as the 'test' button does not really check the sensor but only the circuity so its always better to be safe than sorry.

    Re: OSHA - the following information is provided on coheaquarters.com (an information website run by a leading expert on the health effects of carbon monoxide)...

    "50 ppm = 0.005% CO - US OSHA 8-hour average legal limit for occupational CO exposure (the highest occupational CO limit in the world)"

    Many thanks for your views.

    Noel.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 15, 2010
  11. bullhaulerswife

    bullhaulerswife Forum Leader/Admin Staff Member Administrator

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    Noel,

    Thanks for the link, I'm going to make it live for you, so that everyone can go to it and see what you are talking about.

    I hope that you will stick around and post what you are finding out in your research. As I believe that it is something that every driver needs to be aware of.

    We have had drivers here in the US that have been disoriented, and very ill, and the company could not raise them on the qualcom or the phone. When they sent people to look for them, it was found that they had leaks that caused a severe Carbon Monoxide level in their truck, and it had completely incapacitated them, to the point that they couldn't think well enough to call for help.

    Now thats on the severe end of things, but your research, with the "over time low level exposure" is also something that needs to be addresses.

    Keep up the good work and welcome to the forum.
     
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