The toxicity of carbon monoxide arises primarily from?

The toxicity of carbon monoxide primarily stems from its high affinity for hemoglobin in red blood cells. Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin over 200 times more readily than oxygen, which significantly reduces the blood's ability to transport oxygen throughout the body. This results in a condition known as carboxyhemoglobinemia, where hemoglobin is occupied by carbon monoxide instead of oxygen. As a consequence, vital organs become deprived of oxygen, leading to cellular hypoxia and potentially severe complications or death if exposure continues.

While the destruction of hemoglobin molecules and the decrease in the metabolic rate may be related to the overall effects of hypoxia, they are not the primary mechanisms by which carbon monoxide exerts its toxic effects. The destructive properties on ferric ions are not directly related to the main toxicity pathway of carbon monoxide. Thus, the key factor in its toxicity is the competition between carbon monoxide and oxygen for binding sites on hemoglobin.