What are the effects of low-level indoor carbon dioxide (CO2) inhalation exposure on human health and psychomotor performance?
Indoor CO2 Air-Quality Monitor (Environ Int 2018, PMID 30172928) — epidemiological studies showed an association between CO2 exposure beginning at 700 ppm and building-related symptoms, and respiratory symptoms in children exposed to over 1000 ppm, though other indoor pollutants might be involved. No numeric effect size is reported for Indoor CO2 Air-Quality Monitor in the source abstract.
Source: Environ Int 2018, PMID 30172928 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: low
Environ Int · 2018 · PMID 30172928 · DOI 10.1016/j.envint.2018.08.059
Exposure to low levels of indoor carbon dioxide can negatively impact human physiology, cognitive function, and respiratory health.
The question
What are the effects of low-level indoor carbon dioxide (CO2) inhalation exposure on human health and psychomotor performance?
What they tested
The study does not explicitly state a hypothesis, but it aims to review existing literature to understand the effects of low-level CO2 exposure.
How they did it
The study conducted a review of scientific literature and documents concerning the effects of CO2 inhalation exposure on human health and psychomotor performance.
What they found
Linear physiological changes in circulatory, cardiovascular, and autonomic systems were observed with CO2 exposure from 500 to 5000 ppm. Short-term CO2 exposure starting at 1000 ppm affected cognitive performances like decision making and problem resolution. Epidemiological studies showed an association between CO2 exposure beginning at 700 ppm and building-related symptoms, and respiratory symptoms in children exposed to over 1000 ppm, though other indoor pollutants might be involved.
| Physiological Changes | 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Building-Related Symptoms | 700 | |
| Cognitive Performance Effects | 1000 | |
| Children's Respiratory Symptoms | 1000 |
This chart illustrates the minimum CO2 concentrations (in ppm) at which various health and performance effects were observed in the reviewed literature.
What it means
Low-level indoor CO2 exposure can lead to physiological changes, affect cognitive performance, and be associated with building-related and respiratory symptoms. Further research is needed on long-term effects on the autonomic system.
Limitations
The review notes that other indoor comorbid pollutants might be involved in the observed health effects, suggesting a potential confounder. It also highlights the need for further research on long-term effects.
The paper at a glance
| Title | Effects of low-level inhalation exposure to carbon dioxide indoors on human health and psychomotor performance |
|---|---|
| Journal | Environ Int |
| Year | 2018 |
| PMID | 30172928 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.envint.2018.08.059 ↗ |
| Topic | Environment, air, water & exposures |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
Where Magellan uses this paper
This citation sits behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are set from the research and are independent of affiliate commissions.
Indoor CO2 Air-Quality Monitor
Controlled human-exposure experiments have found that CO2 at concentrations common indoors (around 1,000-2,500 ppm) can reduce scores on tests of decision-making and higher-order cognition, and observational, real-world, and meta-analytic studies link higher ventilation (lower CO2) to better task performance in…
An indoor CO2 (carbon dioxide) air-quality monitor measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in…
Research describes the compound or intervention studied. It is not a claim about any specific product.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). What are the effects of low-level indoor carbon dioxide (CO2) inhalation exposure on human health and psychomotor performance? [Plain-English summary of Environ Int 2018, PMID 30172928, DOI 10.1016/j.envint.2018.08.059]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d30172928.html@misc{magellan_d30172928,
title = {What are the effects of low-level indoor carbon dioxide (CO2) inhalation exposure on human health and psychomotor performance?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d30172928.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 30172928; DOI 10.1016/j.envint.2018.08.059; Environ Int 2018. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
}https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d30172928.htmlRelated studies in the Magellan library
- Associations between indoor air exposures and cognitive test scores among university studentsJ Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol · 2025 · PMID 40204887
- Indoor CO2 concentrations and cognitive function: A critical reviewIndoor Air · 2020 · PMID 32557862
- WHO Environmental Noise Guidelines: Environmental Noise and Cardiovascular and Metabolic…Int J Environ Res Public Health · 2018 · PMID 29470452
- High Content of Lead Is Associated with the Softness of Drinking Water and Raised…Biol Trace Elem Res · 2018 · PMID 29656350
- Short-term effects of fine particulate matter on daily health events in Latin AmericaInt J Public Health · 2017 · PMID 28255648
- Prevalence of exposure of heavy metals and their impact on health consequencesJournal of Cellular Biochemistry · 2017 · PMID 28643849
All 19 Magellan summaries on environment, air, water & exposures →
Prefer the interactive version? Open this summary in the Magellan app → · Browse all 314 study summaries →