A SENSITIVE METHOD FOR ESTIMATING CARBOXYHEMOGLOBIN AND ITS APPLICATIONS

The spectrophotometric method reported by Commins and Lawther for estimating carboxyhemoglobin was compared with that of Kampen and others. Commins and Lawther's method proved to be valid for determining accurately low levels of carboxyhemoglobin in small blood samples. Applications of this method were done in some cases. In a study of effects of smoking on the carboxyhemoglobin levels, it has been confirmed that cigarette smoking is a major factor in determining the carboxyhemoglobin level of individuals and that this fact must always be taken into account. This method was also used in a study of the relationship between exposure to carbon monoxide and the carboxyhemoglobin levels among a group of workers, both before and after work, working in a certain underground parking station in Tokyo. This survey revealed that workers had been affected by the occupational exposure to carbon monoxide.As a result, the method of Commins and Lawther was found to be suitable for studying the relationship of carboxyhemoglobin levels with the occupational exposure to carbon monoxide as well as with exposures to ambient air pollution.