What is Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)?

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) is a transparent gas and natural component of air, that acts as a greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. It is generally harmless in small quantities but can affect severely as the quantities rise, especially indoors where ventilation is low and indoor air cannot recirculate. It can impact sleep patterns, productivity, concentration levels, etc.

How is it important in the environment?

CO₂ helps plants in the process of photosynthesis, a process through which plants make their food. Many animals and humans both depend on plants for their survival, therefore photosynthesis is important for the survival of plants, animals, and humans.

CO₂ helps in trapping the heat and energy from the sun within the earth’s atmosphere. This helps in preventing the temperature from getting inhospitably cold and oceans from freezing into solid.

What do indoor CO₂ levels say?

CO₂ is commonly measured in PPM (Parts Per Million). ASHRAE (The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) recommended that carbon dioxide levels indoors should be maintained below 1000 ppm.

Good – 300-600

Moderate – 601-800

Poor – 801-1000

Unhealthy – 1001-1200

Severe – 1201-1500

Hazardous – Above 1051

Where does CO2 come from indoors?

The main source of CO₂ indoors is respiration, as we inhale oxygen and release CO₂. In the modern age, homes are becoming more airtight, ventilation does not happen that frequently and fresh air cannot enter indoors. Many ventilation systems that are used nowadays recirculate the air indoors rather than bringing less CO₂ contaminated air from outdoors. As a result, the same air is recirculating and recirculating. This increases the carbon dioxide contamination indoors.

Health Effects

High levels of CO₂ are responsible for

1. Lower productivity

High CO₂ affects concentration and
attention and in turn productivity.

2. Disturbed sleep

When limits exceed, one can have
difficulty in their sleeping patterns as well.

3. Increased blood pressure
& heart rate

High CO₂ levels can trigger high BP
problems due to the vasodilating effect.

4. Headache

CO₂ levels highly influence cerebral blood
flow, which can cause headache problems.

5. Restlessness

Disorders such as hypercapnia can
happen when CO₂ levels are high.

6. Dizziness

At high levels, CO₂ is known to cause
dizziness, vertigo, and other symptoms.

How to achieve the ideal CO₂ levels indoors?

10 tips to reduce carbon dioxide levels indoors:

1. Ventilation makes it easy for the flow of air and is the
easiest and most economical way of reducing CO₂.

2. Filtration – Air filters with activated carbon filters
will help reduce the CO₂ concentration indoors.

3. Plants – Indoor plants such as Snake Plant, Aloe vera,
and money plant are known as the natural air filters.

4. Decreasing the number of people in a room
also helps in reducing CO₂ concentrations.

5. Use an air quality monitor – This will help in tracking
and keeping a check on the CO₂levels indoors.

6. Control CO2 emissions – The usage of gas-powered
heaters, coal burning, etc. must be controlled.

7. Avoid smoking indoors as smoking contributes
to the overall CO₂ concentrations indoors.

8. Air purification – It does not help in reducing the CO₂
levels but filtered air is better than unfiltered air.

9. Open flames must be limited as CO₂ is the primary
pollutant emitted by an open fire, such as fireplaces.

10. Keep a check on fuel leaks – CO₂ is released
when fuels are burned improperly.

How to Measure CO2 level?

Prana Air CO₂ monitor has an embedded sensor that is a Non-Dispersive InfraRed (NDIR) sensor with 1 PPM resolution and a 10,000 PPM range. With an LCD screen and multiple data displays, monitor the carbon dioxide levels indoors as well as outdoors.

What is Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)?

How is it important in the environment?

What do indoor CO₂ levels say?