Holding Breath while Biking
 

On tonights ride I was passing a farmer when I smelled Ammonia. I was well into my 80% range of maximun heart rate and had taken two breaths before I realized I was breathing anhydrous ammonia. A farmer was spraying a field about 70 yards north of me. As soon as I realized it was anhydrous ammonia, I held my breath as long as possible, but this proved to be difficult at this rate of physical excertion. I forced to take many short breaths until I got upwind of the farmer.

I had decided to keep riding to pump as much fresh oxygen into my system as possible. In less than a half-mile my lungs and legs began to burn, so I stopped for a drink. I still felt it was best to keep riding and provide maximum oxygen to my cells. After a two minute rest, I continued on because there was no indication of feeling light headed or dizzy.

It seemed silly at the time, but while I was holding my breath, I wondered how many other riders have attempted this. The reasons could be countless, such as sewers, road kill, or other nasty odors. Anyway, my research suggested that there should be no long term effects.

http://www.health.state.nd.us/EPR/re.../anhydrous.htm

Ain't modern agriculture fine?

Chances are the ammonia levels were very low. Ammonia is one of the hazardous chemicals at my place of employment. Very low PPM levels emit a powerful odor. The odors actually make it a safer chemical, because it keeps people away.

I hold my breath at times. Usually when a diesel burner goes by. It is difficult to do for long, when exerting that kind of energy, and taking in a lot of O2.

In NYC... do I have to tell you how many times that happens?