AirSafe is a study set up by dr sophie duggan, after her own car exposed her family to toxic fumes.
The Airsafe study is funded by the Carbon Monoxide Research Trust and has no commercial links.
Results show that from a sample size of 33, CO was present within the passenger cabins of 20 cars (61 per cent). Mean average ppm CO exceeded the WHO target limit of 4mg/m3 (3.49ppm) in 4 vehicles; peak ppm CO exceeded this limit in 13 vehicles.
Overall mean-average CO for all journeys was 6.63ppm CO; the peak single-journey mean average was 192.174 ppm CO.
The study reproduced the findings of several other studies conducted worldwide.
The findings, which are peer-reviewed, feature in the December 2024 edition of the academic journal Environment International.
“There is sufficient evidence available to suggest that significant numbers of our population are being poisoned by low concentrations of CO.”
HOW IS CO DANGEROUS?
CO binds to haemoglobin about 210 times more strongly than oxygen.
As soon as it enters the bloodstream, cells are deprived of oxygen.
Symptoms begin to appear at 2.5% blood CO. Larger exposure leads to loss of consciousness, arrhythmia, seizures and death.
Chronic exposure at lower levels has been shown to produce damage to the heart, arteries and brain.
CO also worsens the effects of cardiorespiratory disease and anaemia.
Children, pregnant women and the unborn are especially vulnerable.