Carbon Monoxide Contamination Associated with Field Use of Internal Combustion Sources

IntroductionCarbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a public health concern. Devices relying on internal combustion represent a common source of contamination. The colorless and odorless nature of the gas reinforces the importance of active monitoring. Intoxication may be missed, with the potential of life-threatening compromise. The impact may be accentuated at high altitude, where lower barometric pressure reduces oxygen availability. CO hazards are a known and likely underreported issue in remote high altitude facilities. We evaluated CO levels produced by internal combustion sources in various field camp environments.MethodsCO levels in kitchens, dining areas, shower spaces, cooking tents, and seasonal ice-fishing tents were opportunistically measured using portable CO detectors (Reed Instruments R9400). Normally distributed data are reported as mean±SD or, with small samples, as range values.ResultsMeasurements were taken in Nepal (n=24; altitude 3606±520 m), Argentina (n=3; altitude 3240-4950 m), and Canada (n=3; altitude 198 m). The highest CO levels were found in shower spaces. Half the shower measures (7 of 13) exceeded World Health Organization recommendations for a 15-min CO exposure (86 ppm), with a peak measure of 1036 ppm.ConclusionsOur sample size was small, but CO levels were seen to vary widely across field facilities, peaking in enclosed shower spaces, where World Health Organization recommendations were frequently exceeded. Elevated levels may pose safety risks, highlighting the need for better monitoring and public education.