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The health threat from exposure to CO is most serious for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those who suffer from cardiovascular disease, but at higher levels of exposure, healthy individuals are also affected. Visual impairment, reduced work capacity, reduced manual dexterity, poor learning ability, and difficulty in performing complex tasks are all associated with exposure to elevated CO levels.
Outdoor carbon monoxide emissions in Alaska come mostly from automobiles and trucks. For this reason, nearly all vehicles that are operated in the Municipality of Anchorage or in the Fairbanks North Star Borough are required to pass a vehicle emissions test every two years. See the Vehicle Emissions page for additional information regarding the Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Programs.
Indoor carbon monoxide typically comes from malfunctioning or improperly used fuel-burning appliances, such as furnaces. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publication Protecting Your Family and Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning list CO poisoning symptoms and ways to prevent CO poisoning.
Recorded messages of outdoor wintertime daily Carbon Monoxide forecasts are provided by the Municipality of Anchorage (907-343-4899) and the Fairbanks North Star Borough (907-459-1234). The FNSB's wintertime CO forecast may also be accessed on their Air Quality web page.
Additional information:
Contact Information:
Cindy Heil, Acting Program Manager
Area Sources Group
Phone: 907-269-7579
email: cynthia.heil@alaska.gov
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