Letter: Carbon monoxide sources are not checked thoroughly

Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2000 | 9:24 a.m.

The dictionary defines "highly" as extremely, to a high degree and very much. Poison is defined as a substance causing illness or death when absorbed even in relatively small quantities.

How do I know that I am being extremely, to a high degree and very much, poisoned to the point of illness and/or death? Well, I suppose that the number of pulmonary and respiratory illnesses and deaths primarily for these reasons would document that degree, provided these percentages were compared with those of 50 and 100 years ago.

Planners from Clark County groups say that planes with engines running at McCarran International Airport, North Las Vegas Air terminal, Nellis Air Force Base, power companies, factories, and even water craft intensify this no odor, no sight, no touch substance -- carbon monoxide -- which poisons the body, intensifying illnesses and bringing death at a younger age.

A planner for the county says that most of the carbon monoxide in Clark County air comes from automobiles and that I should report fellow drivers, directing my focus to the neighborhood gas pump and car engines instead of the major and under-collected amounts from planes and factories.

Check what emissions are reported from those planes, companies and watercraft. A monetary fine does not remove carbon monoxide from the air or my body! How complete and how accurate is the documentation of carbon monoxide emissions from plane/jet areas?

JUANITA CLARK