Atmospheric Particulate Matter, are small particles that cause health and environmental hazard, one of which is Caron Monoxide. In recent years the growing number of automobiles in Ethiopia and a large number of them having exhaust problems has raised a big concern.

For this report I would like to deal with the effects of the gas on human health and the environment. Although there is no exact statistics that show the degree of Carbon Monoxide emission from automobiles in Ethiopia, in countries such as the U.S. the gas is emitted at large from automobiles.

Ethiopia being a naturally blessed region, there has not been much risk in the past to such health hazards caused by gases. However, with the large number of increase in automobiles, especially in the capital Addis Ababa, we are starting to witness heat and air pollution heading for the worst.  This is due to the problem on vehicles exhaust systems that are damaged and release large number of CO. I for one have personally experienced a car in front of the one I am in releasing dark smoke (of which CO is a component) from its exhaust, countlessly.

Therefore, I would like to report some general health effects of the gas, and talk about it on an Eco Generation Event I am planning to hold by next week.

One of the most common health effects on humans from CO is, Carbon Monoxide poisoning, this is a problem that occurs after breathing in too much Caron Monoxide. The health effects of the poisoning range from a mild to large degree.  

The symptoms shown to a mild degree of exposure to CO are headaches, flu effects, dizziness, and others. While at an extreme extent, we can face poisonousness of the CNS and the heart, and could eventually lead to death. The gas could also lead to psychological problems such as depression and loss of memory. Caron Monoxide could cause problems for a woman who inhaled the gas during pregnancy.

Environmentally, the gas could affect concentration of the Ozone layer, methane, carbon dioxide, and many other naturally useful gases. The decrease in carbon dioxide could eventually result in the loss of plants and the damage to the ozone results in an increase in world temperature.

With all these effects, countries such as the U.S. are now putting more consideration to solve the CO effects. While maintaining their industrial and urban developments, I believe that countries in Africa and Asia, including Ethiopia should also put emphasis on the issue of CO gas and prevent a heavy problem that is evident if the gas is emitted for longer without protective measures.