"As we watch the sun go down, evening after evening, through the smog across the poisoned waters of our native earth, we must ask our selves seriously whether we really wish some future universal historian on another planet to say about us " With al...
Carbon dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas. Carbon dioxide molecules are minuscule with only one carbon atom double-covalent bonded with two oxygen atoms forming the whole molecule. It makes up less than 1% of the atmosphere. Outdoor CO2 levels tend to average around 400 ppm, the highest it has been in thousands of years. The levels indoors can increase far beyond that beyond 1000 ppm or even 2000 ppm.
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WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF CARBON DIOXIDE ON THE HUMAN BODY?
CO2 is not poisonous in its free state. Carbon dioxide serving as a crucial factor in nature is an note-worthy fact. The human breathing mechanism revolves around how carbon dioxide gets concentrated.
However, excess carbon dioxide can cause drastic results.
Carbon dioxide acts as a simple asphyxiant; in other words, as carbon dioxide levels in a closed room rise, carbon dioxide replaces the oxygen one's body needs. When one's body can't get the oxygen it slows down and does not function properly.
Because carbon dioxide is an asphyxiant it mostly affects one's central nervous system. At moderate carbon dioxide levels around 1000 ppm, there are observable effects on one's thinking. These same levels also reduce concentration and focus as well as create discomfort. Overall, it won't let one's body function optimally.
At higher levels around 2500 ppm, there are significant reductions in cognitive functioning especially for tasks that require higher-level thinking. People feel fatigued and report having more headaches. These conditions are less common but can still occur regularly in poorly ventilated buildings.
If carbon dioxide levels go beyond 50000 ppm it can also cause one to lose consciousness. If this occurs for long enough death is a possibility. However, these conditions are unrealistic. One would only encounter these conditions in exceptional circumstances.
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