Carboxyhaemoglobin levels in workers in Leicestershire garages

Blood carboxyhaemoglobin (HbCO%) levels were measured in 61 workers in 35 garages in Leicester and Leicestershire. Of 26 workers in large garages in winter, 44% of the non-smokers and 20% of the smokers had increased CO absorption, the highest HbCO% being 26.0 in a non-smoker. Of 35 workers in 24 smaller, randomly chosen garages visited throughout the year (two per month) the corresponding figures were 43% and 14%, the highest HbCO% being 21.0. The possible relevance of these findings to coronary heart disease in garage workers is discussed.