Ride For Life: UCLA study links carbon monoxide exposure to hearing loss and neurological diseases

Exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide, such as those emitted by tobacco smoke and ovens, could contribute to hearing loss and lead to diseases such as Alzheimer's, according to a UCLA study released today.

According to the research published in this week's issue of the Journal of Neuroscience Research, chronic exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide resulted in inner-ear damage in young rats. Scientists exposed the rats to the Cal/OSHA exposure limit of 25 parts per million in the air. Researchers found that the exposure creates oxidative stress, a condition that damages cochlear cells and is a known risk factor for diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease and cardiovascular disease.

According to the researchers, carbon monoxide exposure can be particularly problematic for infants and small children because they spend a lot of time in the home. The carbon monoxide levels can rise to higher concentrations in poorly ventilated homes, they said.

The researchers also noted that most commercial home monitors sound an alarm only 20 minutes after carbon monoxide concentrations reach 70 parts per million -- nearly three times the Cal/OSHA limit.