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Carbon monoxide (CO) emission levels were continuously monitored in 8 mobile trailer homes less than 10 years old. These homes were monitored in a US Environmental Protection Agency study assessing the effects of unvented kerosene heaters on indoor air quality. Respondents were asked to operate their heaters in a normal fashion. CO, air exchange rates and temperatures were measured during the study in each home. Results indicated that these small homes (<100 m2 internal space), having low air exchange rates/h (<0.5), showed elevated indoor CO levels during heater use. Three of the 8 homes in the study had 8-hour averages above or near the 9-ppm US standard for exposure. Seven of the homes were found to have a significant increase of CO during combustion periods as compared with background levels; one home routinely had levels of 30-50 ppm for prolonged exposures. These results may indicate that consumers using unvented kerosene heaters are being unknowingly exposed to high CO levels and thus not taking proper precautions.

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