Abstract

PONCE TERASHIMA, Rafael Andrés et al. Variation in the level of carboxyhemoglobin among city runners in environments with motor vehicle transit at the San Isidro District.. Rev Med Hered [online]. 2005, vol.16, n.4, pp.266-272. ISSN 1018-130X.

Objectives: a) To assess the exposure to carbon monoxide of city runners after running during high and low traffic hours, b) To establish day time periods outdoor exercise in an urban area with motorized traffic could be done. Material and methods: Eleven non smoking city runners, 23 to 41 years old, with no medical history of heart or respiratory disease; ran around the "El Golf" Club in the district of San Isidro. Carboxyhemoglobin blood levels were determined before and after running for 45 minutes during high and low traffic hours. Carbon monoxide air concentration at the runners‘ pathway was measured simultaneously by a portable gas analyzer. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in carboxyhemoglobin blood levels after running during high traffic hours (0.44% to 0.54%, p=0.039). After running during low traffic hours, carboxyhemoglobin blood levels did not change significantly (0.45% to 0.43%, p=0.722). The mean difference of carboxyhemoglobin blood levels before and after running did not show a significant difference between high and low traffic hours. The carbon monoxide air concentration level was not constant. Conclusions: The present study shows an increase in carboxyhemoglobin blood levels after running during high traffic hours, however carboxyhemoglobin blood levels remained within the normal range. In this urban area there is no risk of carbon monoxide contamination during outdoor exercise in any of the two daytime periods tested. (Rev Med Hered 2005;16:266-272).

Keywords : Carboxyhemoglobin; exercise; carbon monoxide; vehicle emissions; environmental pollution.

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