Carbon di oxide emission and climate change has a major impact on human health

Fatima Shoukat, Muhammad Shafiq

University of the Punjab Lahore Pakistan

Increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have ramifications for climate change, however, little attention has recently been paid to the health hazards posed by elevated CO2 levels. It is known that high amounts of CO2 can be detrimental to people, however there is currently no understanding on how there effects would be from maintaining a low despite being elevated amount of CO2. For some proof available shows that at the end of the century the projected levels of CO2 should be avoided as they would be detrimental to people. Repeated exposure to CO2 levels greater than 600 ppm inside homes and buildings has been related to the decline of cognitive skills and other health problems. While humans are capable of surviving in environments that have a high co2 concentration, when they are exposed to high levels for a prolonged period of time, there are potential health risks associated with liver damage, chronic inflammation, kidney failure, and severe loss of bone mass. Additionally, exposure to high levels of CO2 may also increase the risk of developing cancer, diabetes, and other diseases. One major concern is the calcification of body tissues leading to the storage of calcium in tissues rather than in bones. More scientific study is needed to determine how real the dangers are and how accurate the predictions are, because increased CO2 levels pose an alarming health threat, along with the effects of climate change.

Introduction:

The present publication talks about the qualitative impacts which have not been sufficiently studied, but are important to take into consideration, especially in the context of increasing atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, not only as an agent of climate change. This situation suggests that there is a lack of adequate response to the increasing levels of carbon dioxide by the end of the century, and that some aspects of policy formulation should also consider the toxic effects of CO2. The article points that in discussions around the role of CO2 in climate change, the adverse effects that high levels of carbon dioxide have on the body should also be part of the discourse because they are a significant global health threat. This problem has been aggravated as shifts in climatic patterns will cause raising the baseline level of the CO2 concentration to 1000 ppm by the end of the 21 century. Bierwirth adds that on the one hand there are established effects of increasing cognitive and respiratory pathologies as a result of influx into the atmosphere of a high concentration of CO2, however, there is a gap in knowledge around exposure to lower levels of the gas for a long time.

The research tries to close this gap by analyzing the existing literature and suggesting more attention deriving from public health on the effect of CO₂. These are extreme concentrations and situations that are, as in the rest of the population, highly unlikely to occur during the lifetime of any human. On the other hand, Carbon Monoxide is highly toxic and its effect is felt on the body irrespective of the concentration as it can severely damage the nervous and oxygen intake systems. However, each of these two gases has a greenhouse effect but it varies on performance. CO2 is a challenge to the ecosystem while Carbon Monoxide is a danger to the human body. It is surprising that these two gases which have a handful of chemical compositional difference have such diverse uses and adverse effects.

Key Arguments and Evidence:

CO₂’s Effect on Human Physiology:

Chronic inhalation of high levels of CO2 in the environment can have dire consequences as our natural respiratory function is highly dependent on the CO2 levels in the blood. While the kidneys, bone and lungs work together to dissolve excess acidity due to an increase in blood CO2 towards a more alkaline pH, prolonged CO2 exposure thermal degrading the protective mechanisms and lead to an increase of blood acidity instead. It has been documented that people working in closed environments including submarines and spacecraft have reported symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and even shortness of breath, owing to high levels of CO2. The paper seeks to determine if minimum safe allowances of CO2 levels (e.g., 5,000 ppm) are tolerable for across a lifetime of exposure.[1]

Cognitive and Behavioral Impairment at Moderate CO₂ Levels

The review cites various research efforts which show that CO2 concentrations of the order of 1000 ppm to 2500 ppm caused imbalance in the cognitive skills of students, office personnel and even pilots. For instance, Satish et al. (2012)[2] reported that when the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere was 1000 ppm, the participants’ decision-making performance was 11-23% lower. It was found that a higher concentration of CO2, as high as 2500 ppm, the performance could be ABNR as a mnemonic cue: remember this one maximal performance. Classroom studies always show positive correlations between high levels of CO2 and a number of aspects of scholars dread. Poor academic performance, absenteeism and symptoms such as fatigue and headaches are common in students. In a parallel manner, air travellers, bus passengers and drivers who are confined in an environment with high level of CO2 tend to suffer from sleepiness and attention loss.[3]

Chronic Health Risks of Long-Term Exposure

The article points out that if the CO₂ level is kept for a long time, even if it is low to moderate, it will certainly trigger some long-term conditions like kidney calcification, bone loss, or vascular wasting. These diseases, however, stem from the long-term metabolic adjustment mechanism that is present in the organisms. High levels of carbon dioxide can also cause oxidative stress, which can lead to destruction of DNA, and ultimately, a greater possibility of cancer, various diseases of the nervous system and cardiovascular diseases. For example, activity of the carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme that controls CO₂ in blood can cause calcification of tissues and formation of kidney stones.[4]

Public Health Impact of Climate Change and CO₂ Levels

Examine the increasing levels of CO₂ and changing climate alongside the trends in disease rate and mortality involving respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and infectious diseases. Also, look into the risk of deaths resulting from increased heat, or asthma attacks aggravated by air pollution – these are serious concerns. [5]

Who Is Most at Risk From Climate Change?

Despite having a well developed public health and medical system, every American in their lifetime, irrespective of the location, may become a victim of the consequences of climate change. Some populations in the US are more susceptible to the impacts of climate change on health, due to a number of country specific physical and environmental and socio demographic determinants, including age and life stage.

Vulnerable Populations:Target vulnerable groups that would suffer the most exposure to CO₂ toxicity and the impact of climate change on health, which include the elderly, children, as well as those with pre-existing health conditions. Discuss the different strains placed on the health of these affected populations as a result of the low-income status and urban life, which has increased their exposure to climate change and CO₂. For inland flooding, this research added per-capita GDP by SRES scenario to the relational expression of per-capita GDP and mortality rate proposed by Ezzati et al.[6]

The figures pertaining to malaria, diarrhea, malnutrition and cardiovascular diseases were sourced from the estimates of the mortality rates across six WHO regions and across various diseases presented in the GBD, as estimated by Mathers and Loncar (2005).  We analyzed the use of bioretention systems to evaluate the impact of each SRES scenario on the Incidence of climate related diseases such as malaria and diarrhea. The increased global warming will be projected for each kilogram of CO2 equals to the SRES scenarios number.[7]

Low-Income Groups :

To start with, we observe that poverty is associated with certain activities that increase the susceptibility of the health of such persons to issues of climate change. They are also more likely to live in highly risks prone regions like urban heat islands, scattered remotes or rural areas, coastal and other areas that are prone to food supply or where the housing is older or developed poorly. Besides these, low income groups are also sometimes subjected to the aggravating effects of climate catastrophes such as storms on air or water pollution. They suffer from relatively more chronic diseases or medical problems like diabetes and other cardiovascular, respiratory as well as kidney complications which no doubt will be worsened by the effects of climate change. Furthermore, lack of means of transport and limited access to health services and education facilities may hinder their capacity to anticipate, prepare for, act, and live with the health risks associated with climate change.

Health Concerns regarding Carbon Monoxide Primary Health Concerns of Carbon Dioxide:

Carbon Monoxide existence is dangerous because it stays undetected all through its harmful action, the danger is real as it kills. At relatively low levels of exposure, carbon monoxide poisoning can be developed wherein the suffers frequently complain of flu-like symptoms such as a headache, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. CO exposure does, however, have noticeable and adverse effects in some cases. Obviously the effects are determined by the age of the exposed individual and his or her health status as well as the intensity and duration of exposure to CO. Increased awareness of health effects and emission of pollutants particularly carbon-based, has burgeoned in the past 100 years due the impact that CO2 and CO have on the people. Such cases are very specific in the modern world where a nation is on the way to go green but there are still some emissions that jeopardize the human health in small volumes.[8]

The symptoms of CO poisoning it depends on the level of exposure to the gas. With low or moderate carbon monoxide poisoning, losses are similar to the flu. The symptoms are headache, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath and nausea. Higher levels of CO may lead to mental confusion, vomiting, loss of muscular coordination, unconsciousness and in the end – death.

Economic Impact of Health Issues Linked to CO₂ and Climate Change Health Care Costs and Productivity Losses:Investigate the relationship between asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and health expenditures. Assess the cost incurred by decreased employee productivity in the work environment attributed to increased concentrations of CO₂ in the atmosphere.

Case Studies from Developed and Developing Countries:Investigate the relationship between asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and health expenditures. Assess the cost incurred by decreased employee productivity in the work environment attributed to increased concentrations of CO₂ in the atmosphere.

 Policy Interventions to Mitigate CO₂ Health Risks:Standards and Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality and Health: Explain the necessity for revising indoor air quality standards in order to ensure that risks associated with moderately elevated CO₂ levels (1,000-2,000 ppm) are accounted for. Name organizations like WHO and EPA and ) their effect on the formulation of air quality standards.

Integrating health considerations into climate action plans: Focus on the potential of health enhancing interventions that could be included in climate action plans as reducing the burden of CO₂ toxicity and climate induced diseases. Mention the need for green building and improving ventilation systems as real tools.

Conclusion
One of the key takeaways from all the studies is the growing consensus that carbon dioxide (CO₂) should not only be viewed as being responsible for climate change, but it also poses a direct threat to human health. Increased levels of carbon dioxide have serious long term effects as they bring on cognitive impairment, worsening of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as increased spending on treatable conditions. With outdoor and indoor levels of CO₂ particularly in confined spaces of low airflow emerging as the dominant environmental features, all these consequences are expected to get worse. Furthermore, rising global temperatures resulting in extreme events such as heatwaves, floods as well as declining air quality may increase the risks to public health. The studies point towards the need for regulatory measures that not only focusses on the indoor environment but also encompasses both climate and health excel strategies to counter the negative effects. As the articles emphasize the necessity for a better understanding of CO₂ chronic exposure focusing on mid-range levels and its health care consequences, the authors underline the importance of joining the efforts of public and environmental health experts.

References:

[1]  “(PDF) Long-term carbon dioxide toxicity and climate change: a critical unapprehended risk for human health,” ResearchGate. Accessed: Dec. 01, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311844520_Long-term_carbon_dioxide_toxicity_and_climate_change_a_critical_unapprehended_risk_for_human_health

[2]  “Is CO2 an Indoor Pollutant? Direct Effects of Low-to-Moderate CO2 Concentrations on Human Decision-Making Performance | Environmental Health Perspectives | Vol. 120, No. 12.” Accessed: Dec. 01, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/ehp.1104789

[3]  “Development of human health damage factors related to CO2 emissions by considering future socioeconomic scenarios | The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment.” Accessed: Dec. 01, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11367-015-0965-9

[4]  “Estimating human health damage factors related to CO2 emissions by considering updated climate-related relative risks | The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment.” Accessed: Dec. 01, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11367-018-1561-6

[5]  G. Luber and N. Prudent, “Climate Change and Human Health,” Trans. Am. Clin. Climatol. Assoc., vol. 120, pp. 113–117, 2009.

[6]  “Contributions of risk factors and medical care to cardiovascular mortality trends | Nature Reviews Cardiology.” Accessed: Dec. 01, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.nature.com/articles/nrcardio.2015.82

[7]  C. D. Mathers and D. Loncar, “Projections of Global Mortality and Burden of Disease from 2002 to 2030,” PLoS Med., vol. 3, no. 11, p. e442, Nov. 2006, doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0030442.

[8]  “The Effect of Carbon Emissions on Human Health,” prezi.com. Accessed: Dec. 01, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://prezi.com/cy3vzyg2axgj/the-effect-of-carbon-emissions-on-human-health/