title: Biomedical applications of tunable diode laser spectrometry: correlation between breath carbon monoxide and low level blood carboxyhemoglobin saturation.
abstract: Tunable diode laser spectrometry was used to measure breath carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations in nonsmoking subjects. Corresponding blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) saturations between physiological levels and levels after 1 and 8 hours exposure to 9 ppm CO, the maximum permissible concentration in the air under federal regulations, were also determined. A good linear correlation between breath CO and blood COHb saturation for low levels representing ambient conditions was established, with a correlation coefficient better than 0.999 for the means and 0.945 for the individual data points. Similar studies on the other compounds of concern are also possible using tunable diode laser spectrometry, requiring only a breath sample and with no sample preparation. This technique will facilitate fast, noninvasive environmental health effect and biomedical studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Automotive Safety and Health Research, General Motors NAO Research and Development Center, Warren, MI 48090.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Schreck
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Hare
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: McGrath
mesh_terms: D001944:Breath Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000032:analysis*; D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D016014:Linear Models; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin