Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1921-12-01
Don't Run Car in Closed Garage.


Running the engine of car to warm
it up, in small, closed garage, is one
Of the most dangerous things that
man can do, according to Prof. YAM
dell Henderson, OF Yale University.
II is almost as dangerous as blowing
out the gas before going to bed, Pro.
fessor Henderson says.
"The exhaust gas from an engine,
and city Illuminating gas both con ain
large proportions of carbon monoxide,"
says Prof. Henderson. "A smah car
produces as much carbon monoxide
in minute as a gas burner will flow
in three or four hours, and a large
car produces even more of this gas.
These facts have been shown re-
Gently by Mr.. A. G. Fieldner and his
associates of the United States Bureau
of Mines"
Professor Henderson, consulting
Psychologist of the Bureau of Mines,
has shown that il the exhaust gas is
diluted with enough fresh air it is prac-
tcally harmless. Three or four vol
umes of carbon monOxide in 10000
times as much fresh air can be breath
ed for an hour or more without any
i'll effect, he says.
"But six volumes of the gas may
cause a slight headache, nine volumes
a severe headache and nausea. and Is
or 20 volumes in 10000 Of air will pro-
duce Inconsistencies and even DEATH"
he states.
A car produces one cubic foot or
more Of carbon monoxide per minute,
and Professor Henderson calculates
that in a small closed garage 90 by
10 by 20 feet the car, when warming
up, communicates the air to a deadly
concentration within three or four min
utes.
"Many people lose their lives every
winter by running their engine with
the garage doors and windows closed, :"
he points out. "The only safe way is
to open the garage doors before starting
the engine, or TO slip a piece of hose
over the exhaust and so deliver the
gas out of doors.
These Investigations were carried
out for the New York and New Jersey
Tunnel Commission which are con-
structing a vchicular tunnel under the
| Hudson river. The tunnel will be
large enough for two lines Of passen-
ger cars or trucks each way, and will
relieve Automobiles Of the delay in
volved in crossing the river on the
ferries. Elaborate plans are being
made by the engineers for properly
ventilating the tubes TO keep them
clean of smoke and gas"
The standard for maximum concen.
tration of carbon monoxide in air for
safety recommended by Professor
Henderson has been adopted for the
tunnel and driving through the tunnel
VIII not involve appreciably more risk
due to bad air than driving along Fifth
Avenue in New York City on a crowd :
ed afternoon
MANY people believe that gasoline
vapor is the cause of the unpleasant
Feelings that they sometimes experi-
ence in large badly ventilated pub
lie garage" says DR.. Henderson. CDR,
II. W, Haggard, working with me, has
SHOWN that these symptoms are not
due to the gasoline vapor but to the
carbon monoxide gas which results
When the gasoline vapor is exploded
IN the cylinders of an engine.
carbon monoxide combines with
The red coloring matter of the h,ood
and this prevents the blood from
carrying an adequate amount of oxv-
gen from the lungs to the brain and
other parts of the body. But we find
'''at soon after the affected person
comes INTO fresh air again, the carbon
monoXide begins to leave the bIood
Inc restoration of the blood to its
normal condition can also be assisted
by inhaling oxygen.
These Investigations are of import.
ance not only to automobiles but also
10 everyone who takes care of his own
furnace. If enough air is not supplied
10 coal fire, large amounts of car.
Don monoxide are formed and some of
tnis gas may leak out into the air of
the house. They are of Importance
also to city firemen, for the smoke Of
burning building nearly always con.
tains large amounts of carbon monox.
lQe. LII IS nnf the