The Detrimental Impact of Inhaling Carbon Dioxide on Human Health

The Detrimental Impact of Inhaling Carbon Dioxide on Human Health

In a groundbreaking research paper published in Environmental Science: Advances, a team of scientists led by Ugo Bardi, Phil Bierwirth, Kuo-Wei Huang, and John McIntyre, have shed light on the lesser-known biochemical effects of increased carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations on human health and the biosphere.

The research reveals that CO2 is not merely a greenhouse gas, but it is chemically active in aqueous environments, affecting biological and ecological systems at a chemical level. This chemical activity can have significant consequences, as seen in instances like the Apollo 13 moon mission, where the crew's refuge in the lunar module, designed for two, overtaxed the system designed to remove carbon dioxide from the air, leading to dangerous levels of CO2 in the craft.

One of the most immediate concerns is ocean acidification, a process triggered by increased atmospheric CO2. This acidification harms marine organisms by disrupting their metabolic processes and calcium carbonate shell formation, potentially threatening the diversity and stability of ocean ecosystems.

In the terrestrial realm, increased CO2 can accelerate photosynthesis in some plant species, leading to the "global greening" effect observed in recent years. However, this phenomenon does not necessarily benefit ecosystems uniformly, and the paper warns that such changes could have unforeseen consequences.

For aerobic metazoans, including humans, higher CO2 levels negatively affect metabolism. This can lead to harmful impacts on human health, particularly for people in enclosed spaces where CO2 accumulates. The paper discusses the chemical and biochemical pollution associated with carbon dioxide, suggesting that it may be a serious problem that could be as important as radiative forcing in terms of damage to human health and the biosphere.

As atmospheric CO2 concentrations continue to rise, these adverse biochemical effects are expected to worsen, posing risks not only through climate change but also through direct physiological and metabolic disruptions. The researchers emphasize that the common focus on CO2’s role in radiative forcing and climate change underestimates its direct chemical and metabolic impacts on the biosphere and human health.

In light of these findings, the paper calls for urgent action to reduce CO2 emissions and bring them to zero as soon as possible. Phasing out fossil fuels and replacing them with low-carbon energy sources remains the most effective way to avoid further increases in atmospheric CO2 concentration.

However, the authors also note that geoengineering techniques based on Solar Radiation Management alone cannot be sufficient to counter the ecosystem disruption caused by anthropogenic CO2 emissions. The focus on average global temperatures may be preventing recognition of the urgent need to address the direct chemical and metabolic impacts of CO2 on the biosphere and human health.

In conclusion, the research paper underscores the need for a more comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing the threats posed by rising CO2 levels. As the US government continues to prioritize profits for the fossil fuel industry over environmental health and balance, it is crucial that we, as a global community, recognize and address these hidden threats to ensure a sustainable future for all.

[1] Bardi, U., Bierwirth, P., Huang, K.-W., & McIntyre, J. (2022). Carbon dioxide as a pollutant: the risks on human health and the stability of the biosphere. Environmental Science: Advances.

[2] Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2021). Report on the growing amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

1. The research paper in Environmental Science: Advances suggests that carbon dioxide pollution could be as significant a threat to human health and the biosphere as radiative forcing.
2. The study led by Ugo Bardi, Phil Bierwirth, Kuo-Wei Huang, and John McIntyre reveals that increased carbon dioxide concentrations can have harmful biochemical effects on aerobic metazoans, including humans.
3. In the newsletter, they discuss the need for a more comprehensive approach to combating climate change, focusing not only on carbon emissions and their impact on global temperatures but also on their direct chemical and metabolic effects on the biosphere and human health.
4. The findings of the Environmental Science: Advances paper highlight the urgency of implementing policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to low-carbon energy sources to prevent further disruptions in health and environmental science.
5. The paper calls for a shift in focus from the climate-change aspect of carbon dioxide emissions to the more immediate concerns about its chemical and metabolic impacts on health and wellness, fitness and exercise, mental health, and environmental science.

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