Highest 1-Hour Concentration of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) in high concentrations affects human health by reducing the supply of oxygen to the tissues of the body. Health effects can include headaches, nausea, reduced mental alertness, and even death at very high concentrations. Federal and state standards with varying time-averaging periods have been adopted to protect the public from this pollutant. This indicator addresses the highest carbon monoxide concentrations averaged over every one hour for the calendar year.
Carbon monoxide is created by incomplete fuel combustion and emitted by sources such cars, trucks, boats, construction equipment, fireplaces, woodstoves, furnaces, and wildfire.
Applicable Standard
TRPA does not have an adopted standard for this indicator so the strictest California state standard is used instead.
Key Points
- The Tahoe Region has been well within compliance with the TRPA, State, and Federal standards for many years.