Will an increase in carboxyhemoglobin cause oxygen content to increase?

No. In fact, the exact opposite occurs.

Hemoglobin is the Oxygen carrying molecule in

red blood cells. It binds to Oxygen in the lungs, and releases it

to all the tissues in your body.

Carboxyhemoglobin is a hemoglobin molecule

that has bound to Carbon Monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a molecule

that typically results from fires. The most common exposures are

engine exhaust and tobacco smoke.

The bond between carbon monoxide and

hemoglobin is much stronger than that of oxygen and hemoglobin.

Therefore, a slow exposure to exhaust fumes will slowly build up

the concentration of carboxyhemoglobin, and the result can be

extremely dangerous, including death.

Since a hemoglobin molecule that is bound to

carbon monoxide cannot be used to deliver oxygen, the oxygen levels

in your body will decrease.

Early symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure are

headaches, dizziness, confusion, or loss of consciousness.

If you find someone who has any of these

symptoms when exposed to car exhaust fumes, you must call 911

immediately. Open the garage, and move them to a well-ventilated

area while you wait for help to arrive.