Carbon monoxide levels in the body and bloodstream. What is normal? What is dangerous?

Low carbon monoxide levels in the blood stream (COHb) and cellular tissues are normal and necessary for proper cellular functioning.

However there is not uniform agreement as to what "normal" levels in the blood stream are within different environments.

Any carbon monoxide levels above "normal" is considered dangerous.

• Health effects can start to become noticeable in people once carbon monoxide levels (COHb) reach 2.5% in the bloodstream.
  
  
• Non-smokers living away from urban areas have "normal" carbon monoxide levels in the blood stream of 0.4% to 1.0%.
  
  
• Carbon monoxide levels of 1% to 5% may be considered "normal" if a person lives in a busy urban or industrial setting.
  
  
• Carbon monoxide in cigarettes causes a smoker to typically have levels of 5% or more.
  
  
• Otherwise "healthy" heavy smokers seem to be able to tolerate carbon monoxide levels in the blood stream (carboxyhemoglobin) of up 10%+ without obvious damage; however, this puts them at greater risk of damage and symptoms and after effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.
  
  

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Robin

Interesting. I wonder how altitude affects CO levels in the body?

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