Carbon monoxide, a toxic gas found in car exhausts, could also be a life saver, according to the newly released findings of research. At very low doses, carbon monoxide could relieve asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease leading to signs of improvement in their condition.
The gas is also showing promise for treating other chronic and acute inflammatory conditions, the New Scientist reported in this week's edition. However the odorless and invisible gas is dangerous in high doses because it is taken up and stored by red blood cells instead of oxygen. It results in insufficient oxygen transport around the body.