Class Contribution Form

Student Name: Shreya Nalluri

Reference: Y. Adir, A. Merdler, H Ben, A. Front, R. Harduf, and H. Bitterman. Effects
of exposure to low concentrations of carbon monoxide on exercise performance and
myocardial perfusion in young healthy men. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/
articles/PMC1757771/

Brief Summary (250-word max)

More than 95% of the world's population breathe unsafe air. There are two types

of pollutants, primary and secondary pollutants. Primary pollutants are produced

directly and include carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen dioxides, carbon

dioxide and etc. Carbon monoxide combines with hemoglobin to form

carboxyhemoglobin, which decreases the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.

This study was conducted on young healthy men to assess the effects of

exposure to low concentrations of carbon monoxide(CO) on exercise

performance and myocardial perfusion. Participants were exposed to CO,

followed by an exercise treadmill test with thallium heart scintigraphy. Blood was

drawn for determination of carboxyhemoglobin before and at the end of the

exposure. Acute exposure to a low concentration of CO which produces blood

carboxyhemoglobin concentrations of 4%-6% significantly decreases exercise

performance in young healthy men. No ischemic electrocardiographic changes or

disturbances in myocardial perfusion were found by graded exercise with thallium

scintigraphy. The study suggest that pollution of atmospheric air by CO may exert
an adverse effect on skeletal muscles, manifesting as decreased exercise

performance.