Mathematical model to evaluate the effect of carbon monoxide exposure as a function of gender, age and height

Abstract

This study develops and solves mathematical models using a time-dependent Fick’s law of diffusion with the tools of non-Newtonian mechanics specifically the power-law fluid model with appropriate boundary conditions to predict the concentration profiles of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) species in the human bloodstream from carbon monoxide (CO) inhaled over some time. The concentration of CO and the length of exposure determines how much harm it does to the body. The model developed prediction compares favourably with experimental results and other models in the literature. The standard error obtained when compared with the experiment is 1.02. The results show that the height of individuals has a significant effect on COHb and CO concentration in both adult male and female such that taller individuals are more susceptible to CO poisoning than shorter ones, but height has no significant effect in children. Similarly, the male is at a higher risk of CO poisoning than the female counterpart of the same age and height.

Keywords: CO poisoning, concentration, exposure time,  carboxyhemoglobin