page_title: Exhaust gas
section_title: Carbon monoxide (CO)
hierarchical_section_title: Exhaust gas / Main motor vehicle emissions / Carbon monoxide (CO)
caption_attribution_description: English: Satellite computer image from MOPITT. MOPITT
context_page_description: Exhaust gas or flue gas is emitted as a result of the combustion of fuels such as natural gas, gasoline, petrol, biodiesel blends, diesel fuel, fuel oil, or coal. According to the type of engine, it is discharged into the atmosphere through an exhaust pipe, flue gas stack, or propelling nozzle. It often disperses downwind in a pattern called an exhaust plume.
  It is a major component of motor vehicle emissions, which can also include:
  Crankcase blow-by
  Evaporation of unused gasoline
  Motor vehicle emissions contribute to air pollution and are a major ingredient in the creation of smog in some large cities. A 2013 study by MIT indicates that 53,000 early deaths occur per year in the United States alone because of vehicle emissions. According to another study from the same university, traffic fumes alone cause the death of 5,000 people every year just in the United Kingdom.
context_section_description: Carbon monoxide poisoning is the most common type of fatal air poisoning in many countries. Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and tasteless, but highly toxic. It combines with hemoglobin to produce carboxyhemoglobin, which blocks the transport of oxygen. At concentrations above 1000ppm it is considered immediately dangerous and is the most immediate health hazard from running engines in a poorly ventilated space. In 2011, 52% of carbon monoxide emissions were created by mobile vehicles in the U.S.
caption: MOPITT satellite computer image of carbon monoxide March 2010
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