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David Manson  
#1 Posted : 08 October 2018 10:13:48(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
David Manson

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!

A Kurdziel  
#2 Posted : 08 October 2018 10:31:53(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

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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David Manson on 08/10/2018(UTC)
David Manson  
#3 Posted : 08 October 2018 10:45:15(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
David Manson

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!

James Robinson  
#4 Posted : 08 October 2018 11:20:52(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
James Robinson

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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David Manson on 08/10/2018(UTC)
David Manson  
#5 Posted : 08 October 2018 11:28:43(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
David Manson

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

descarte8  
#6 Posted : 08 October 2018 14:09:38(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
descarte8

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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David Manson on 10/10/2018(UTC)
David Manson  
#7 Posted : 10 October 2018 11:07:03(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
David Manson

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

SCANLOND  
#8 Posted : 10 October 2018 11:49:58(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
SCANLOND

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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David Manson on 10/10/2018(UTC)
Roundtuit  
#9 Posted : 10 October 2018 20:27:20(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Foetal CO levels can peak at 12%, Heavy Smokers 6 - 9%

Possibly of more interest is a research report tilted differently dependent upon if you are trying to sell electric taxis which looks at the effect of car ventilation settings on driver exposure

https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/company-car-tax-and-legislation/2018/10/05/electric-vehicles-expose-drivers-to-less-harmful-emissions-says-levc

https://www.ioshmagazine.com/article/ventilation-settings-can-limit-driver-diesel-exposure

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
David Manson on 17/10/2018(UTC), David Manson on 17/10/2018(UTC)
Roundtuit  
#10 Posted : 10 October 2018 20:27:20(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Foetal CO levels can peak at 12%, Heavy Smokers 6 - 9%

Possibly of more interest is a research report tilted differently dependent upon if you are trying to sell electric taxis which looks at the effect of car ventilation settings on driver exposure

https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/company-car-tax-and-legislation/2018/10/05/electric-vehicles-expose-drivers-to-less-harmful-emissions-says-levc

https://www.ioshmagazine.com/article/ventilation-settings-can-limit-driver-diesel-exposure

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
David Manson on 17/10/2018(UTC), David Manson on 17/10/2018(UTC)
stevedm  
#11 Posted : 11 October 2018 08:43:45(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
stevedm

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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David Manson on 17/10/2018(UTC)
nic168  
#12 Posted : 12 October 2018 11:56:26(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
nic168

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.
thanks 1 user thanked nic168 for this useful post.
David Manson on 17/10/2018(UTC)
David Manson  
#13 Posted : 17 October 2018 12:11:06(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
David Manson

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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