Carbon dioxide overload, detected in human blood, suggests a potentially toxic atmosphere within 50 years - Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health
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Anthropogenic activities are increasing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. There is mounting experimental evidence that lifetime exposure to these increasing atmospheric CO2 levels can negatively impact the normal physiology of organisms. However, directly assessing this in humans is very difficult. We analysed serum bicarbonate (HCO3−), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) levels from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2020 as indirect proxies for atmospheric CO2 exposure. Over this period, average bicarbonate levels in this population show an increasing trend which parallels rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Both Ca and P have decreased steadily over the same period. If these trends continue, blood bicarbonate values could be at the limit of the accepted healthy range in half a century, and Ca and P will be at the limit of their healthy ranges by the end of this century. Studies indicate that, after this time, elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide, leading to CO2 accumulation in the body, has the potential to cause a range of adverse health effects. These findings highlight the urgent need for significant reductions in anthropogenic CO2 emissions to safeguard public health.
  • explorator_1317@mander.xyz
    3·
    5 hours ago

    To quote the actual abstract, not just the headline,

    There is mounting experimental evidence that lifetime exposure to these increasing atmospheric CO2 levels can negatively impact the normal physiology of organisms. However, directly assessing this in humans is very difficult.

    It does not say that they for sure know that atmospheric CO2 levels are going to be toxic within 50 years. It only says that, based on one examination of indirect proxies, it seems like that might be the case. Something which definitely should be studied further, because even the possibility of global atmospheric toxicity is worrying, but not something to jump to conclusions on, because doing so is bad science.

    Their study result makes me feel kind of sick to my stomach too, I just want to keep a level head and not jump to “welp I guess we’ll all be paying billionaires for clean oxygen tanks in 50 years”.

    If this really does turn out to be a problem we’re heading towards, it’s also premature to conclude that it won’t get fixed. I know that if I learn that this is for real, I’m certainly going to be telling everyone I know about it and looking for ways to spur useful action.

  • cheeseburger@lemmy.ca
    12·
    7 hours ago

    Finally corporations will be able to start selling subscriptions for air to breathe! A bright future for shareholders the world over.

  • bitwise@lemmy.ca
    13·
    10 hours ago

    Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving species. Shame about all of the others that are dying with us.

  • Zedd_Prophecy@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    8 hours ago

    “it’s possible that our physiology is finely tuned for a range of CO2 that will not be much greater than this level.”. Also possible we will adapt or have to wear masks. Or will all die out… or a giant dinosaur 🦖 happens because of radiation …or nukes… Aliens… Jesus returns…