The loss of carbon monoxide (CO) from whole blood or hemolysates has been investigated. Blood samples were exposed to the atmosphere or to a limited volume of air for various storage periods at three temperatures. The initial hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and the percent carboxyhemoglobin (%COHb) saturation were varied in separate experiments. In addition, the effect of repeated exposure of blood to air was evaluated. The %COHb saturation decreased from 80 to 50% following storage of a 1-mL blood sample with 49 mL of air in a sealed container at room temperature for 45 hr. Greater decreases in the %COHb saturation were observed in samples which were exposed to the atmosphere. Lesser, but significant, losses occurred when samples were stored in a refrigerator or freezer. The concentration of Hb in the samples as well as the initial %COHb saturation were found to influence the decrease in the %COHb saturation.

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A method is described for the gas chromatographic quantitation of carbon monoxide by means of thermal conductivity detection. Carbon monoxide is released from blood samples as small as 0.02 mL using a unique extraction chamber. The method was compared to a standard gas chromatographic and spectrophotometric method of carbon monoxide quantitation. It was comparable to the former with all samples evaluated and apparently more reliable than the latter with decomposed samples.

When the end point was approached as indicated by the change to a light brown color, 2 ml. of the starch solution were added from a buret, the sides of the beaker were washed down, and the titration was continued to a colorless solution. This part of the procedure was conducted in a fume cupboard because of the formation of hydrogen cyanide. No colored particles of the cadmium complex should be present in the bottom of the beaker.This procedure was used for 1 to 75 mg. of cadmium oxide.1 to 20 mg. required 0.0078 M potassium iodate 20 to 40 mg. required 0.0156 M potassium iodate 40 to 75 mg. required 0.0312 M potassium iodate