Excessive release of the pollutant carbon monoxide (CO) into the air may produce a condition in which oxygen supply in the human body decreases. What causes this condition?

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Q: 66 (IAS/2010)
Excessive release of the pollutant carbon monoxide (CO) into the air may produce a condition in which oxygen supply in the human body decreases. What causes this condition?

question_subject: 

Science

question_exam: 

IAS

stats: 

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keywords: 

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The condition in which oxygen supply in the human body decreases due to excessive release of the pollutant carbon monoxide (CO) into the air is caused by the fact that the inhaled CO has much higher affinity for hemoglobin as compared to oxygen.

When inhaled, carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in the red blood cells with a much higher affinity than oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin. This reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, as the carboxyhemoglobin cannot effectively transport oxygen throughout the body. This can lead to tissue hypoxia, or a deficiency of oxygen in the body`s tissues, which can have serious health consequences, including damage to vital organs such as the brain and heart.