Carbon Monoxide Exposure in Nepalese Workers at Mount Everest Base Camp
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46570/utjms-2026-816Keywords:
Carbon Monoxide, Environmental Exposure, long-term CO exposure, Mount EverestAbstract
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an often encountered but undetected toxin that can produce devastating adverse health effects. Sources of CO are commonplace, such as stoves or generators. While clinical effects of short-term exposure are well studied, effects of long-term, low-level exposure remain under characterized. We hypothesized that long-term, low-level exposure to CO may be prevalent at Everest Base Camp (EBC). Cooking stoves in poorly ventilated tents may provide a source for this long-term CO exposure at Mount Everest Base Camp (EBC). Our study intended to monitor carbon monoxide levels in this setting via non-invasive SpCO testing, and survey associated symptoms to determine what significance of carbon monoxide exposure, if any, was present.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Meghan Sawyer, Kris Brickman (Author)
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