CARBON-MONOXIDE CONTAMINATION IN DWELLINGS IN POOR RURAL-AREAS OF GUATEMALA

The most frequent causes of CO contamination in urban areas are related to incomplete combustion in motor vehicles and to cigarette smoke. In Guatemala inhabitants of rural areas are isolated from the pollution of big cities, and cigarette smoking, especially among women in these areas, is not widespread. Therefore, these population groups are not affected by the urban types of contamination. Nevertheless, due to cooking procedures and housing structure, poor rural populations, particularly women, are exposed to high concentrations of carbon monoxide. In this article these characteristics are described as found in two rural Guatemala communities. Refs.