COLORLESS, ODORLESS, TASTELESS
WHY IS CARBON MONOXIDE SO
DANGEROUS?
Mainly caused by the incomplete combustion of motor-vehicle fuels, carbon monoxide pollution is a particular problem during the winter months in New Jersey. Other factors, such as, temperature, weather, inversions and demographics play a role in making this pollutant an issue in New Jersey.
Breathing elevated levels of carbon monoxide has been linked to increase deaths and hospitalizations related to cardiovascular (heart and lung) diseases. Efforts by Federal and State agencies to lower carbon monoxide levels seem to be working, but theses efforts are always opposed by industries and political entities who feel government intervention is not necessary.
Students will use real time data available through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and other agencies to monitor carbon monoxide levels in various parts of Jew Jersey to see if there is a relationship between carbon monoxide levels and other factors happening at their monitoring sites.
To comment please contact carrollb@bhs.bboed.org