CO2 and O2 concentrations in integral motorcycle helmets.
Inhaling air which contains excess CO2 and/or is oxygen-deficient is known to present health risks and to diminish human cognitive abilities. The average CO2 concentrations relevant to a motorcyclist wearing an integral helmet were measured 20 years ago and found to be alarmingly large. The purpose of the present study was to examine gas concentrations typically inhaled by a motorcyclist. Average concentrations of CO2 near the upper lip for persons (n = 4) wearing integral motorcycle helmets were measured in the laboratory and the field to facilitate comparison to previous work, and similarly high average concentrations were found: above 2% when stationary, well below 1% for speeds of 50 km/h or more. Very good agreement was obtained between laboratory and field measurements. Detailed measurements of the time-dependent CO2 concentrations passing through a mouthpiece for mouth-breathing showed inhaled levels slightly over half of the corresponding average concentrations, including 1.3+/-0.3% at standstill, though higher concentrations (4% or more) were inhaled at the beginning of each breath. Opening the visor at standstill had on average no effect. At a speed of 50 km/h the inhaled CO2 concentration resembles that for a person without a helmet in still air, at about 0.2%. The oxygen deficiency is generally equal to the CO2 concentration, and could also contribute negatively to a motorcyclist's cognitive abilities.
Brühwiler
P A
PA
Empa, Materials Science and Technology, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, CH-9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland. paul.bruehwiler@empa.ch
Stämpfli
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R
Huber
R
R
Camenzind
M
M
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D008348:Manikins; D009049:Motorcycles; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis*; D014919:Wind
D000393:Air Pollutants; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen