Assessment of Carbon Monoxide at Traffic Signals, Toll Plazas and in Main Roadside Built Houses and Impact of Its Chronic Exposure on Public Health

A survey based citizen Science research of Carbon monoxide levels was conducted in Navi Mumbai, particularly at various Toll Plazas and Traffic signals. Carbon Monooxide levels were assessed in roadside built houses. Carbon monoxide is a product of incomplete combustion of organic matter due to insufficient oxygen supply to enable complete oxidation to carbon dioxide (CO2). It was found out that none of the workers included in this study had any idea about the possibility of CO poisoning due to their working conditions. By conducting interviews, it was concluded that people like policeman,Sweepers, and Shopkeepers having shops on the roadside, are not aware of exposure and hazardous effect of carbon monoxide poisoning on health and even what precautions should be taken to prevent themselves from the diseases and health hazards. According to WHO, the permissible level of Carbon Monoxide in the human body is 1-4ppm.Hence the current study was aimed at the assessment of outdoor Environmental air quality in the ambient air with respect to the quantity of carbon monoxide in ppm and its impact on people residing on highways and on main roads as compared to people residing in Interior locations of the roadside. It's a survey based research where a survey of CO was done and it was found out that people residing on the main road or on highways are suffering from many health problems. Most of the people on highways and main road are suffering from heart problems,breathlessness, and fatigues with depression. The level of CO was found to be more than 25 ppm on traffic signals and highways in which the traffic police stays for more than eight hours a day. A maximum policeman and people residing on main roads, near traffic signals and near toll plazas suffer from depression, fatigue, tiredness, forgetfulness, respiratory problems and with high pulse rate and low oxygen levels. Awareness programs were conducted in various societies and handbills were distributed to many policemen for creating awareness about the health implications due to Carbon Monooxide poisioning.