At high levels, carbon monoxide (CO) kills and cripples without warning. A gas that is not only invisible but odorless and tasteless, carbon monoxide displaces oxygen in the blood, effectively starving the heart, brain and other vital organs. Developing babies seem particularly vulnerable to carbon monoxide. Oxygen displacement in fetuses is roughly 50 percent higher than in their mothers.⁴³

Carbon-rich fuels-gasoline or coal, for example-produce carbon monoxide when burned incompletely by out-of-tune or poorly designed engines or furnaces. Motor vehicles, mostly cars, account for two-thirds of carbon monoxide emissions in the U.S. Carbon monoxide levels are highest in cities, where cars are concentrated. Almost 55 million people live in areas that violate EPA's current standard for carbon monoxide.⁴⁴ Commuters, whether in cars, buses or bicycles, are heavily exposed.

Carbon monoxide can be virtually eliminated by using zero-emitting vehicles powered by batteries or fuel cells; or reduced by using more efficient engines, tuning them properly, or using catalytic converters or other pollution control devices.

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