I learned from my chem studies yesterday that the average nonsmoker living in a healthy environment still has about 0.5% carbon monoxide bonded to their hemoglobin, from natural sources. This really concerns me, considering I live in the suburbs of Philly which is, all in all, not a very healthy environment. Carbon monoxide is clear and odorless and many times carbon monoxide poisoning happens when a poorly ventilated heating or cooling system dumps the carbon monoxide formed from incomplete combustion into an air system that is inhaled by someone. Hemoglobin, in red blood cells, has a greater affinity for carbon monoxide than for oxygen, so when that person breathes in a mix of oxygen and carbon monoxide, the hemoglobin more readily binds the carbon monoxide. However, when it does this, it is limiting the ability of the blood to carry oxygen, thus cutting down the bloods capability of carrying oxygen to body parts. Having at least 0.5% carbon monoxide already bonded to my hemoglobin, means that at my healthiest peak, my heart is only working 99.5% capacity. Assuming that I eat french fries, cheesy, deep fried foods....I give my heart like an A-, tops. And I'm only 18!