Personal carbon monoxide exposures of preschool children in Helsinki, Finland: levels and determinants

Personal CO exposures of 194 preschool children were measured with personal exposure monitors during a 24 week sampling period from fall 1990 to sprin g 1991 in Helsinki, Finland. Arithmetic mean of the maximum 1 and 8 h expos ure levels were 6.0 and 3.3 mg m(-3). The then Finnish ambient air quality guideline values for 1/8 h maximum CO level (30/10 mg m(-3)) were exceeded in 2/4% of the children's daily maximum 1/8 h exposure levels. Gas stove at home, parents, especially mother, smoking in the home, and living in high rise buildings - reflecting higher local population and traffic density - i ncreased the children's CO exposures. The presence of a fireplace in the ho me was associated with decreased CO exposures. Father's high education redu ced the children's CO exposure while mother's education level had no signif icant effect. The peak (15 min) exposure levels of the children commuting t o day care center by car or bus were higher than those of the children who walked or came by bike. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.