Carbon Monoxide in Alveolar Air as an Index of Exposure to Cigarette Smoke

Abstract

A rapid method for the analysis of CO in expired air was developed, which is suitable for use in studies of smoking. The Bohr equation was used to calculate the mean alveolar CO partial pressure (PA,CO). The values of PA,CO obtained are highly correlated with direct measurements of venous carboxyHb (r = 0.96). The method will distinguish between populations of smokers and non-smokers, and can allow the changes of CO in a smoker throughout a 12 h period to be followed. It provides a measure of the dose of cigarette smoke (vapor phase) that results from smoking a single cigarette.