Breathing in CO2
means being restricted.
Learn more about the effects of CO2 on your body and mind
Carbon Dioxide, or CO2, is a natural greenhouse gas that is harmless in small quantities, but as levels rise it can affect productivity and sleep. Most commonly concentrations build up indoors through the air we exhale, CO2 levels concentrate indoors where there is less ventilation.
What is CO2?
CO2, or Carbon Dioxide, is the fourth most abundant gas in the earth's atmosphere, consisting of one part carbon and two parts oxygen. At room temperature, carbon dioxide is a colourless, odorless, non-flammable gas. It is a byproduct of normal cell function when it is breathed out of the body. CO2 is also produced when fossil fuels are burned and by decaying vegetation.
How is CO2 produced?
Man-made CO2
In breathing, we inhale oxygen and exhale CO2. A human being produces between 168 and 2,040 kg CO2 a year.
Plant-made CO2
Plants also respire and release small amounts of carbon dioxide, particularly at night. Rising temperatures can boost these processes in the plant. At night, the plant cannot photosynthesise without light. In order to generate energy nevertheless, dark respiration starts in its cells. In this process, carbohydrates and oxygen are consumed and more carbon dioxide is released to the outside.
Industrial CO2
You have probably heard of CO2 emissions in the news regarding global warming. As CO2 builds up in our atmosphere from burning fossil fuels, it has a warming effect that is changing the Earth’s climate. 25% of human CO2 emissions come from transportation and 19% from industry.
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Indoor CO2
The combination of all the internal and external carbon dioxide producers, plus the energy-efficiency and airtightness of modern buildings can make the indoor air quality very bad.
Places with a high CO2 concentration
The effects of CO2
Drowsiness
Headaches
Sleepiness
High heartrates
Sweating
An increased amount of CO2 in closed spaces can be harmful for your body and mind. Various studies have found that too much carbon dioxide can negatively influence your productivity and health.
Your mind will be affected through headaches, drowsiness and sleepiness and your ability to concentrate and perform mentally decreases. The effects are also seen in a higher heart rate and increased blood pressure, as well as sweating (dehydration). An extreme exposure to a high CO2 concentration may lead to serious oxygen deprivation resulting in permanent brain damage, coma, or even death.
The CO2 Levels
CO2 in your area is at a normal level, i.e. similar to outdoor environment.
CO2 in your area is at a normal level for indoor spaces with good air exchange.
CO2 in your area is a bit too high. You might begin to feel drowsy.
CO2 in your area is a bit too high. You might feel drowsy and the air may feel stuffy.
CO2 concentration is too high. May lead to headache, sleepiness and lack of concentration.
CO2 levels are much too high. Exposure may lead to serious oxygen deprivation.
The effects of CO2
Drowsiness
Headaches
Sleepiness
High heartrates
Sweating
An increased amount of CO2 in closed spaces can be harmful for your body and mind. Various studies have found that too much carbon dioxide can negatively influence your productivity and health.
Your mind will be affected through headaches, drowsiness and sleepiness and your ability to concentrate and perform mentally decreases. The effects are also seen in a higher heart rate and increased blood pressure, as well as sweating (dehydration). An extreme exposure to a high CO2 concentration may lead to serious oxygen deprivation resulting in permanent brain damage, coma, or even death.
The CO2 Levels
CO2 in your area is at a normal level, i.e. similar to outdoor environment.
CO2 in your area is at a normal level for indoor spaces with good air exchange.
CO2 in your area is a bit too high. You might begin to feel drowsy.
CO2 in your area is a bit too high. You might feel drowsy and the air may feel stuffy.
CO2 concentration is too high. May lead to headache, sleepiness and lack of concentration.
CO2 levels are much too high. Exposure may lead to serious oxygen deprivation.
What to do against the high concentration of CO2 indoors?
Monitoring
Most of the time, humans notice the bad air too late, when they already show signs of sleepiness and have headaches. With a good, precise sensor, you can always keep track of the CO2 concentration in the air.
To the co2go desktop dashboard
Ventilation
Through ventilation (e.g. by opening a window), the stuffy, stale air can be replaced with fresh one.
Reducing number of people indoors
The fewer people breathing out CO2, the more oxygen available.
Going outside
By leaving a stuffy room and frequently going outside, your brain and lungs are filled with oxygen. This way, you can avoid headaches and other effects of CO2.
