CO2 Dulls Thought Processing, Threat Response - And Enclosed Space Concentrations Surprisingly High

[hatrack]

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Research on seamen aboard submarines and in astronaut tests have confirmed that CO2 builds up in confined spaces, to limit the supply of oxygen to the brain. As this happens, people in such conditions have problems responding to any stimulus or even recognising a threat. City atmospheres normally have higher carbon dioxide concentrations than in the countryside. And in poorly-ventilated city buildings, higher carbon dioxide levels could begin to limit human potential.

“It’s amazing how high CO2 levels get in enclosed spaces,” said Kris Karnauskas, of the University of Colorado, Boulder and the author of a new study in the journal Geohealth. “It affects everybody – from little kids packed into classrooms to scientists, business people and decision makers, to regular folks in their houses and apartments.”

Other researchers have repeatedly warned that any steps to reduce emissions would more than pay off in terms of advancing human health and wealth, and that conversely expanding fossil fuel emissions could only increase damaging atmospheric pollution, along with potentially life-threatening extremes of summer heat. But these are indirect effects of carbon dioxide concentration: Dr Karnauskas and his colleagues were more interested in a direct effect.

They report that they looked simply at climate scenarios, including the notorious business-as-usual prediction in which humans go on destroying forests, burning coal and oil, and making cement to build ever-expanding cities. “It’s amazing how high CO2 levels get in enclosed spaces. It affects everybody – from little kids to scientists, business people and decision makers, to regular folks in their houses and apartments” In this scenario, carbon dioxide concentrations – at around 280 ppm for most of human history, but already past the 400ppm mark – will rise to 930ppm by the end of the century.

If that happens, then indoor concentrations could quickly reach 1400ppm. And this could, on some research findings, begin to compromise what psychologists call high-level cognitive domains. So basic decision-making ability could falter by a quarter, and concentration on complex problems by 50%. Quite literally, carbon dioxide build-up could reduce the capacity to think clearly. Such an outcome is far from certain, and the Geohealth researchers recognise this.

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https://climatenewsnetwork.net/carbon-dioxide-pollution-dulls-the-brain/

[samnsara]

1. i have a CO2 tank i use in my tomato production.. im always cracking windows open..just in case..

[callous taoboy]

2. Am retiring after 26 years of teaching-

I can attest to unhealthy air quality conditions and the impact it has in a cramped classroom with poor air exchange. For the last 5 or so years, our HVAC system was being kept alive by our maintenance dept., and the classroom often felt devoid of O2. We weren't allowed to open windows for safety reasons, and most of the time where I live it is hot and humid anyway, so opening a window would have made us miserable. The carpet in the room was replaced 15 years ago, but it soon started to always smell like stinky feet in there unless I was spritzing some air freshener. Thanks for posting this.

[Mickju]

3. This could bring us even closer to Idiocracy than we already are.