Effects of Low Level Carbon Monoxide (CO) on Tracking and Monitoring. An Attempt to Replicate the Findings of Putz et al. (1976) Protocol 2

摘要

The present study was an attempt to replicate the experiment and findings of Putz et al. (1976). In the Putz et al. study it was shown that 5 percent COHb resulting from four hours of exposure to 70 ppm CO produced decrements in tracking and monitoring behavior in healthy young men. Intensive effort was made to assure that the Putz et al. procedural and equipment were duplicated. Certain procedural changes were introduced out of necessity or due to lack of exact information. The results of the present study using 22 healthy men did not show a statistically significant effect of CO exposure to 100 ppm for four hours on either tracking or monitoring. In the present study (a) observed trends were in the same direction as those of Putz et al. (b) results approached statistical significance criterion and (c) several inadvertent methodological changes from Putz et al. apparently occurred. Due to these considerations and the findings of Putz et al. (1976) and Putx (1979), it may be tentatively concluded that (a) tracking may be sensitive to impairment by CO exposure (b) monitoring does not appear to be affected by CO exposure and (c) important variables in research on the effects of CO exposure on tracking appear to be the level of subject training and the task difficulty.