Indoor carbon monoxide levels could be affecting one's capacity to think clearly. Since most studies about air pollution concern the type of toxic gases present in the outdoors, people know very little about the toxic chemicals that may be present indoors that could be clouding their thinking. In truth, scientists believe that the toxic chemicals indoors particularly carbon dioxide can pose wider danger to the overall health of a person.
While indoor air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides have become a subject for several research studies, there have been little to no studies that focus on the impact of carbon dioxide in the body. However, the authors of this new study that suggests on the evidence on the issue say that the evidence of the presence of carbon dioxide in the bedroom, offices and classrooms may come with harmful effects on the body. Most of its effects may be affecting the cognitive performance of an individual.
"There is enough evidence of the presence of this harmful gas indoors. It is enough for people to be concerned. Although it may not be enough for them to be alarmed about it," said Dr. Michael Hernke, co-author in the study. He is a researcher from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also stressed that further research needs to be conducted.
The report was published in the journal Nature Sustainability. Hernke and his partners in the study considered 18 different studies on the presence of carbon dioxide in the air as well as its health impacts on both human and animal life. Traditionally, the team was expected to say that the thought of level of CO2 must be present to actually affect human health. However, a growing body of research suggests that exposure to even just a lower level of CO2 could already cause unwanted health conditions, even if the exposure only lasts for a few hours.
The team also emphasized that a crowded classroom space, especially when they are poorly ventilated, including bedrooms and office spaces have all been spaces that have been found with at least 1,000ppm levels of CO2.
"Indoor environments should be of much more concern at present considering that people spend 60 to 80% of their time indoors," Hernke said. Although several studies also project that the CO2 outdoors are more likely to increase as the problem with global warming and greenhouse gases continue to rise.
The health impacts of this exposure may be worse for children whose health conditions affect their cognitive health. It might exacerbate the condition and sadly, some of the impacts may be irreversible.
