
Book Chapters Manuscripts Peer Reviewed Non-Peer Reviewed Conferences and Meetings Presentations Posters	Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center Publicaions CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING DUE TO TRACTOR EXHAUST IN AN OPEN FIELD Tim Struttmann, MSPH, Vickie Brandt, RN, BSN, Amy Scheerer, MSPH Fourth International Symposium: Rural Health and Safety in a Changing World. Saskatoon, Canada; Oct 1998. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning usually occurs in enclosed spaces, but in June 1997 a 37-year-old farmer suffered from CO poisoning while working in an open field. She was seated on a tobacco setter drawn by a gasoline-powered tractor with a backward venting exhaust pipe. Other workers who may be exposed to CO using this type of equipment include vegetable harvesters and plant setters. To further evaluate this hazard, nine tractors, including the tractor used in this case, were monitored for CO emissions using a PhD Plus Multi Gas Detector. Both gasoline and diesel powered tractors were tested, ranging from 5 to 50 years old and 29-94 horsepower. Tractors were tested in a stationary position with a monitor located where someone working on a setter would sit with the engine running between 600 and 1400 rpms. Testing was done out of doors in conditions similar to those experienced by the referent case. For diesel powered tractors, results ranged from zero to 14 parts per million (ppm) for a 15-minute sampling period with a maximum reading of 50 ppm. For gasoline powered tractors, results ranged from 38 to 706 ppm for a 15-minute sampling period. The maximum ceiling limit for CO recommended by NIOSH is 200 ppm. Maximum levels exceeded 999 ppm on 3 of the 4 tractors. These preliminary results suggest that those working in close proximity to exhaust for extended periods on equipment trailing tractors could be exposed to excessive levels of CO which could result in CO poisoning. Further investigation should include personal pump monitoring of those setting tobacco, as well as monitoring CO exposures to tractor drivers. Comments to Mark Schneider, Last Modified: July 9, 2001 by JP Copyright ©2000, University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center Terms, Conditions & Privacy Statement

Kentucky Injury Prevention
and Research Center Publicaions

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING DUE TO TRACTOR EXHAUST IN AN OPEN FIELD

Tim Struttmann, MSPH, Vickie Brandt, RN, BSN, Amy Scheerer, MSPH

Fourth International Symposium: Rural Health and Safety in a Changing World. Saskatoon, Canada; Oct 1998.

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning usually occurs in enclosed spaces, but in June 1997 a 37-year-old farmer suffered from CO poisoning while working in an open field. She was seated on a tobacco setter drawn by a gasoline-powered tractor with a backward venting exhaust pipe. Other workers who may be exposed to CO using this type of equipment include vegetable harvesters and plant setters. To further evaluate this hazard, nine tractors, including the tractor used in this case, were monitored for CO emissions using a PhD Plus Multi Gas Detector. Both gasoline and diesel powered tractors were tested, ranging from 5 to 50 years old and 29-94 horsepower. Tractors were tested in a stationary position with a monitor located where someone working on a setter would sit with the engine running between 600 and 1400 rpms. Testing was done out of doors in conditions similar to those experienced by the referent case. For diesel powered tractors, results ranged from zero to 14 parts per million (ppm) for a 15-minute sampling period with a maximum reading of 50 ppm. For gasoline powered tractors, results ranged from 38 to 706 ppm for a 15-minute sampling period. The maximum ceiling limit for CO recommended by NIOSH is 200 ppm. Maximum levels exceeded 999 ppm on 3 of the 4 tractors. These preliminary results suggest that those working in close proximity to exhaust for extended periods on equipment trailing tractors could be exposed to excessive levels of CO which could result in CO poisoning. Further investigation should include personal pump monitoring of those setting tobacco, as well as monitoring CO exposures to tractor drivers.

Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center Publicaions

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING DUE TO TRACTOR EXHAUST IN AN OPEN FIELD

Tim Struttmann, MSPH, Vickie Brandt, RN, BSN, Amy Scheerer, MSPH

Kentucky Injury Prevention
and Research Center Publicaions