Carboxyhemoglobin in blood of smokers and non-smokers determined by gas chromatography with thermal conductivity detector

The aim of this study was to determine Carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels in the blood of smokers and non-smokers using gas chromatography; evaluate the impact of smoking habits; and determine whether living environment has influence on COHb blood content in non-smokers. Blood samples were collected from 127 Belgrade residents of different age and gender and smoking disposition (39 smokers and 88 non-smokers). The samples were analyzed by an Agilent Technologies 6890N gas chromatograph with molecular sieve packed column with thermal conductivity detector. A median value of COHb levels in non-smokers was 0.81 % and in smokers 5.33 %. Strong negative correlation (Pearson's r = -0.529) was obtained between COHb levels and time interval between last smoked cigarette and moment of blood sampling with significantly higher COHb levels in smokers who had their last cigarette ≤ 30 min before blood sampling. Statistically significant difference in COHb levels was obtained between residents living in the center of Belgrade, as compared to residents living in suburbs and outskirts of Belgrade with median values of 1.06 and 0.53 %, respectively. The obtained results suggest risk associated with first and second hand CO exposure. The method has greater applicability to test harmful exposure in polluted industries and detonation byproducts in battlefield and subject of nano-toxicity.