What is – Carbon Monoxide (CO) is the most abundant gaseous pollutant in the atmosphere. E 'an odorless and colorless and is generated during the combustion of organic materials when the amount of oxygen available is insufficient. The main source of carbon emissions is represented by vehicular traffic (about 80% of global emissions), in particular from the exhaust gases of gasoline vehicles. The concentration of CO emitted from vehicle exhausts is closely related to the conditions of engine operation: there are higher concentrations with the engine idling and during deceleration, typical conditions of intense urban traffic and slowed.
Method of measurement – The carbon monoxide is analyzed by absorption of infrared radiation (IR). The measurement technique is based on the absorption, the part of the molecules of CO, IR radiation with consequent variation of their intensity, proportional to the concentration of Carbon Monoxide. A sensor measures the variation of the light radiation and converts this value by providing the concentration of CO present in the air. The unit of measure by which we express the concentrations of carbon monoxide is the milligram per cubic meter (mg/m3).
Damage Caused – The CO has the property to bind to hemoglobin in the blood, preventing the normal transport of oxygen in the various parts of the body. The organs most affected are the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system, especially in people with heart disease. High concentrations of CO can also lead to death by asphyxiation. At the concentrations usually detectable in the urban atmosphere, however, the health effects are reversible, and certainly less acute. The harmful effects of CO are amplified in smokers.
Evolution – The CO had, in the last twenty years, a very sharp decline in concentrations due to the progressive development of engine technology, which contrasted the opposite phenomenon related to the increase in the number of vehicles in circulation, and thereby increase the emissive sources. Further improvements will be obtained when gasoline cars without catalytic converters will be completely replaced with vehicles equipped with catalytic converters, that currently make up slightly more than 50% the park traveling.
