Evaluación de la exposición al monóxido de carbono en habitantes de la ciudad de Azogues

Abstract

In the present study was determined the concentrations of carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) in blood as a biomarker of exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) in the environment, and the effects that this pollution has on the health of residents and traders of three areas considered critical for the high traffic in Azoguescity; contrasted with a control group not exposed belonging to a rural area. HbCO concentrations were detected by the spectrophotometric method with the Wolf modified technique, using sodium dithionite as reducing agent; the average found in the three study groups were: 5.16% 4.25% and 4.59% respectively; in all cases exceed the limits considered by WHO as normal (0.5% to 2.5%), although the levels of ambient CO in the three areas were below the limit set by the Ecuadorian legislation (30,000 ug / m3 for one hour). It was determined that there is no correlation between concentrations of ambient CO and HbCO concentrations measured in the study groups; so that these last depend on other factors such as exposure time and characteristics of individuals; so that a significant positive association between blood HbCO concentrations and exposure time seen in years was found; therefore although environmental CO concentrations is deemed to be below the limit, continuous and chronic exposure increases levels of HbCO to toxic concentrations in exposed individuals, it brings clinical consequences as the onset of symptoms between major headache, dizziness and burning eyes; although not specific, but attributed to the toxic action of CO which were reported more frequently by individuals exposed in this study.