From Albert Donnay
Lightweight devices to cool and clean the air breathed by racing drivers
already exist—and have done since 1986
(2 June, p 13).
State-of-the-art systems blow ambient air through an 8-centimetre hose into
the lower portion of the driver’s helmet, below the eyes, at 0.4 to 0.7 cubic
metres per minute. The air is first filtered and then cooled.
Low-temperature carbon monoxide (CO) filters that last six hours are
available for under $50. I’m not surprised that neither the Australian
researchers nor the NASCAR drivers they found had been poisoned by CO appear to
be aware of these filtering devices. They are not required by any racing
authority, but NASCAR officials have approved their use and certainly know about
them.
New Scientist also did not report another obvious way to reduce CO
exposures from racing cars—namely to fit their exhaust systems with
catalytic converters, as is required of passenger cars.
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