The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-12-03
Investigations Show That Lit
tic of the Gas from Auto
mobile Motors Is Needed to
Cause Death; AutOists
Warned Against Closed Cars

Before the danger season has even
arrived, reports have come from all
parts of the country Of the death
Oh motorists from carbon monoXidc
poisoning.
Thus again, despite repeated warn
lngs, the invisible death takes its
toll. Not only is this death invisible.
1t is odorless, tasteless, colorless and
swift in its destruction.
Investigations made in New York.
Philadelphia, Chicago and other
cities where traffic is conpested
show that little of this gas is needed
to cause poisoning. A days expos
ure to the fumes that reek from the
exhausts of innumerable motors in
heavy traffic may be just as fatal
as the foolish practice of working
on running motor in closed
garage. The difference is that the
former death is more protracted.
|. Recently the Chicago department
OF health investigated the amount of
carbon monoxide found in that city's
streets. Nearly 700 samples of the
air were collected at various parts Of
the city. These showed that while
only one-seventh Of the total amount
collected contained more than one.
half part of the deadly gas in 10000
parts of air, One-third Of the samples
from boulevaras contained the same
amount. And in the Chicago "loop"
this proportion was even higher.
Slight Proportion Dangerous
1t takes only two parts of carbon
monoxide in 10000 parts of air-a
slight proportion in itself-to cause
dangerous symptoms. according to
health authorities. Yet in crowded
traffic when cars must Green along
at 10 miles an hour and close to-
gether, the concentration of carbon
monoxide in air becomes even great
or than this.
with the approach Of winter.
heaters are being installed in closed
cars. Many of these are Of the TYNE
That draw in fresh air through fun
mel behind the radiator fan. This
air is highly poisonous when the car
IS close behind another, and this
danger is increased when the exhaust
Tunes OF the car ahead arc drawn
into an enclosed body.
Because of this danger traffic and
health authorities advise motorists
TO keep about 20 to 80 feet clearance
between cars when traffic is slow
and congested. At the same time the
heaters should be kept closed in
ORDER to- avoid an intake of the
poisonous fumes ahead.
- From Idling Motors
When there is hold-up Of even a
minute the motor should be shut off.
Wnen motor is idling it is even
more dangerous than when it is
running at good speed and pulling
the car. For at idling speed not
all the fuel is burned, with the result
that greater proportion of carbon
monoxlde is released through the
exhaust.
Riding in heavy traffic. with ;ts
dangers of carbon monoxidc poison
ing, is especially dangerous to grow
ing children. Their failure to gain
their lack of appetite. poor color
flabblness and susceptibility to dis.
case may be attributed to their in
take of fumes from being driven
about in close traffic.
Poorly adjusted carburetors. like
ldling motors, cause an undue
amount Of poisonous gas to leave
the exhaust. It is therefore i'm
portant that the carburetor be adj
!usted to the point at which it will
furnish most complete combustion
rather than the greatest power.
Power could very well be sacrificed
to health and life.
The symptoms Of chronic carbon
monoxide poisoning are ! feeling 81
tiredness. headache. nausea, palpita-
ton OF the heart and mental dull
ness. When this sort Of poisoning
becomes acute the symptoms start
with yawning and sleepiness and
range on to tiredness, feeling Of
tight skin across the forehead. 4
frontal headache changing to one at
the base Of the skull, dizziness. lassi-
tude, sick stomach and finally I'M
consciousness.
Il is possible that some of the
mysterious highway accidents, an
parently due to the drivers, falling
asleep 1t the wheel or being accused
Of intoxication. have actually been