Carbon monoxide exposure in vehicle inspection stations, Dade County, Florida

Authors

Carl W. DiSalvo, Florida International University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Environmental Engineering

First Advisor's Name

Gabriel Aurioles

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Neil Hout-Cooper

Third Advisor's Name

John Cleveland

Keywords

Motor vehicles -- Inspection -- Florida -- Miami-Dade County, Carbon monoxide -- Toxicology

Date of Defense

1-21-1981

Abstract

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has shown that carbon monoxide (CO) exposure levels which can induce carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) formation in excess of 5 percent can result in serious health consequences.

In Dade County, Florida county vehicle inspectors are routinely exposed to CO on the job. To evaluate CO exposure levels, a Ecolyzer direct reading CO meter was placed in inspection lanes in 10 Dade County vehicle inspection stations.

The results of this study indicate that in 3 stations, an 8-hour time-weighted exposure to carbon monoxide will induce inspector COHb levels in excess of 5 percent, and all stations have work sites where inspectors encounter ceiling exposure levels which may alter their predicted level of COHb formation.

Although CO exposure in Dade County vehicle inspection stations was found to be influenced by several factors, the extent and severity of exposure can be reduced by engineering and administrative controls.

Identifier

FI14062296

Recommended Citation

DiSalvo, Carl W., "Carbon monoxide exposure in vehicle inspection stations, Dade County, Florida" (1981). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2824.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2824