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Pregnant collesgue's highish blood carbon monoxide reading
Rank: Forum user
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A colleague in Cannock has just had her first health check since becoming pregnant. The has raised carbon monoxide levels in her blood (a reading of 7). She doesn't smoke and we have ruled out dodgy boilers etc. at home and at work. She is a sales rep who spends three or four days a week on the road - generally not in heavy inner city traffic. She has asked to be taken off all sales duties for the next three months as she is worried about the affect of pollution on her unborn child. Can anyone point me in the direction of any guidance on this? My feeling is that we can work to reduce the time spent in traffic but her whole job requires travel so there woi=uld otherwise be little for her to do. Any guidance will be appreciated!
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Rank: Super forum user
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Have you checked with Public Health England? Your Occupational Health Adviser should be able to contact them directly for more detailed advice.
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1 user thanked A Kurdziel for this useful post.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks A. Kurdziel. No I haven't spoken to Public Health England but it's a good idea so will do so. We don't have an occupational health advisor so I'll try my best!
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Rank: Forum user
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Probably the easiest way to summarise...... not enough information yet.
But here's some thoughts in no particular order.
- person conducting the health check did not sign her off from work, if that's a concern she has she is more than entilled to go and seek this from her GP, and on presenting the "note" you can react
- we are not responsbile for employees exposure to life's risks, just those during employment. Three days on the road- what happens during the other 4 days, time away from work... My personal view (not factual) if just the work days are causing this elevated level then they are probably expossed to a very high work source
- is 7 high?
- we need to do a risk assessment as she is an expectant mother.
- get advice from an occupational health provider, your not a GP....
- there will be emotional loading on all sides over this
- be realistic and logical
Sorry, probably not much help, but I think your situation and question are all very justified, and I would likely do the same - ask for any help, guidance, etc.
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1 user thanked James Robinson for this useful post.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks James - this an the earlier reply is actually very helpful indeed. My recommendation will be to get an occupational health advisor involved and the posts have helped me come to the decision.
David
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Rank: Super forum user
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The cause may even be biologial, hemolytic anemia may cause increased levels of CO in the blood - a natural byproduct of the catabolism of heme-containing proteins such as myoglobin, or even chemical exposure (such as to dichloromethane or analine) - so a visit to her GP would be well advised.
Peak traffic concentrations may lead to CO levels of ~50ppm which in turn could lead to Carboxyhaemoglobin levels of ~7-8, but concentrations of CO in areas such as underground car parks may be higher so could be purposely avoided, likewise leaving a great space between their vehicle and the next may help reduce any internal car concentrations?
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1 user thanked descarte8 for this useful post.
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Rank: Forum user
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Once agian this forum has proved very helpful! I have just briefed the manager on the various suggestions and background info and am confident we will resolve this amicably. Thank you
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Rank: New forum user
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The only substantial source of CO is either from an exhaust leak before the catalytic converter or from tailpipe fumes in the first minute or so before the CC warms up.
I would get the car checked as a precaution.
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1 user thanked SCANLOND for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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foetal COHb level are typically 30% higher than the mother there is some further informaion of PHE website...link below and the ncbi which has a good summary table... If you have trouble sleeping you can download the full tox summary...It may be that she has a partner that smokes? or relavtives just need to ensure that it is directly work related...so second test will be needed. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/carbon-monoxide-co
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK153692/table/T10/
Enjoy.. :)
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1 user thanked stevedm for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Just thought i would say that this is really interesting thread and a subject I had not had to think about before- very timely as we now have several pregnant women.
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1 user thanked nic168 for this useful post.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks everyone for your support and advice. I have advised the manager on some immediate measures they can take and referred him to an occupational health specialist as well as advising the member of staff to speak with her GP. If the OH advice is of interest I will post on here..
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Pregnant collesgue's highish blood carbon monoxide reading
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