Why is this indicator important?
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odourless gas that reduces the ability of blood to absorb and deliver oxygen to cells in the body. Exposure to high concentrations of carbon monoxide can cause serious health effects. These include dizziness, headaches, fatigue and even death.
The major source of carbon monoxide in urban areas is exhaust from motor vehicles. Other sources include fireplaces, industry, aircraft and natural gas combustion. Forest fires are a significant natural source of carbon monoxide.
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What actions are being taken?
The decreasing trend in carbon monoxide in Alberta is largely the result of continued improvements to vehicle emission control equipment since the 1970's. Some of these improvements include the introduction of catalytic converters, oxygenated gasoline, and more recently the introduction of electric-gasoline hybrid vehicles. Climate Change Central, in partnership with the Clean Air Foundation, has launched a campaign to encourage Alberta drivers to turn in their older, polluting vehicles for scrapping and recycling.
Numerous Alberta initiatives are under way in this area. In 1998, for example, the Alberta ROVER Project (Roadside Optical Vehicle Emissions Reporter) monitored vehicle emissions of carbon monoxide in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and Canmore. Carbon monoxide emission levels are considered to be a good indicator of overall vehicle performance. If carbon monoxide concentrations are high, emissions of other contaminants are likely to be high. Eighty-one per cent of the Light Duty Vehicles tested were considered to be clean. These vehicles had carbon monoxide exhaust emissions of 1% or less. ROVER monitoring of vehicle emissions continued in
2006, however results have not yet been compiled
.
Alberta Environment, the airshed organizations, and industry continue to monitor carbon monoxide around the province. Alberta has adopted Environment Canada's most rigorous air quality objectives for carbon monoxide. In Alberta, the one-hour objective for carbon monoxide is 13 parts per million, and the eight-hour objective is 5 parts per million.
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