title: [Subclinical carbon monoxide poisoning in our health area].
abstract: We present an observation study on the relatioship between high levels of carboxyhemoglobin (COHB) and subclinical poisoning by carbon monoxide (CO) in our health area. The study was carried out in February and March 2000 in 228 over 18-year-old patients of both sexes who went to the Emergency Room for various reasons. After an informed consent was conceded, a venous blood sample was obtained in order to determine the level of COHB; later, we collected the anthropometric data, the data relative to the tobacco use, and the data of the type of heating at home. The values limit of the COHB obtained were the following: in non smokers, 1.9%; in 1-10 cigarettes/day smokers, 5.2%; in 11-20 cigarettes/day smokers, 6.9%; in >20 cigarettes/day smokers, 9.6%. A COHB high level was observed in 25% of the patients regardless of the smoking habits, being the coal-dust slack brazier the source of most frequent exposure to CO.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Neumología. Hospital Virgen de la Concha. Zamora. Spain.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: García Arroyo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fernández Testa
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ochoa Sangrador
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Antolín García
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sánchez Berrocal
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ramos Pastor
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Montero Martín
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: San Norberto García
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fernández García
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez Maire-Richard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006361:Heating / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin