I think it was CO2 again

[mellowtigger]

I just learned an unexpected benefit of my current job at an academic institution. My work login allows me to access academic journals! I was able to view the good bits of this article, "Direct human health risks of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide" from 2019.

I don't know when exactly I stopped turning on the exhaust fan in the upstairs bedroom. It must've been several weeks ago, since I can't remember the last time I turned it on. I always turn it off at night, so it's easier to sleep in the bedroom upstairs without that additional noise. I happened to glance yesterday at the Aranet4 CO2 meter on the stand next to my bed. It was about 1200ppm. I've had the exhaust fan running since about noon yesterday. Now, that reading is about 700ppm.

I'm assuming high CO2 is what was causing my problems with executive malaise and general tiredness. Just like last time this happened. I really need to find a permanent solution to this airflow problem. That academic article I mentioned earlier was a review of other studies. It found some studies showing consequences of CO2 concentrations on human performance while other studies didn't. One interesting tidbit of identified problems is this one: "Participants were exposed to 550, 945 and 1,400 ppm during normal 8 h workdays throughout the week in a randomized, double-blind controlled office environment. Cognitive scores were 15% lower in 945 ppm and 50% lower in 1,400 ppm relative to 550 ppm CO2. On average, participant scores decreased by 21% per 400 ppm increase." This page is an easier plain-English read, and it mentions blood pressure being affected by a small factor, even at 500ppm.

The habit of "getting fresh air" outdoors isn't a matter of exposing yourself to higher O2 concentrations. Instead, it's a matter of avoiding the high CO2 concentrations indoors. And with even outdoors getting higher CO2 concentrations every year, I think this is an under-reported problem of greenhouse gas emissions. I think it's not too much of an exaggeration to claim that it's making us dumber. Not because the outdoor concentration is that high now, but because it raises the bar of what's even possible for indoor concentrations of CO2.