THE IMPACT OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION VEHICLES ON THE CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND THEIR POSSIBLE EFFECTS

There are many health risks that arise due to air pollution and global warming. In developing countries, i.e., China or Guatemala, individuals are developing severe illnesses due to air pollutants that are emitted because of rapid development. Harmful emissions have led to health complications including various respiratory or cardiac diseases, pneumonia, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Many under-developed countries are unable to provide medical treatments because of insufficient funds and lack of regulations that should be in place to limit the dangers of deadly gases. Among the various factors of air pollutants, carbon monoxide presents a significant threat because of its toxic and invisible nature.

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the correlations between various factors of rapid industrialization and the rising carbon monoxide levels in a developing country. Our research team visited Guatemala to monitor carbon monoxide levels in diverse locations of varying conditions: population, transportation, urbanization, or use of various ventilation. In areas with high levels of carbon monoxide (CO), a Lascar EL-USB-CO data logger was used. Our results indicated that in highly populated urban areas, especially those with a high density of vehicles, the CO levels reach up to 946.5 ppm. These findings supported the claims that those residing in Guatemala have been exposed to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and that government should find ways to combat the risks caused by this silent epidemic.