Hemoglobin (Hb) can react with both O2 and CO at 37 C. The reaction below shows how CO can displace O2 from hemoglobin with a K = 2.0 x 102 : HbO2(aq) + CO(g) <===> HbCO(aq) + O2(g)
If the ratio [HbCO]/[HbO2] comes close to 1, death will happen. What partial pressure of CO is fatal? Assume the partial pressure of O2 is 0.20 atm (since air is 20% O2).