Scully, R.R., Basner, M.,
Nasrini, J., Lam, C.,
Hermosillo, E., Gur, R.C.,
Moore, T., Alexander, D.J.,
Satish, U. and Ryder, V.E.
2019
Effects of
acute exposures
to carbon dioxide on
decision making and
cognition in
astronaut-like
subjects.
Microgravity 5: 17;
Rising levels
of atmospheric CO2
pose no direct threat
to human health
(see Liu et al., 2017
and Monsé et al., 2019).
What about
human cognition
and decision making?
Scully et al. (2019)
are ten U.S. researchers
who tested the
mental acuity
of 22 "astronaut-like"
male and female
subjects
to four different
CO2 concentrations
(600, 1200, 2,500
and 5,000 ppm).
The subjects took
standardized
decision making
and cognition tests
(the Strategic
Management
Simulation
and Cognition
test batteries),
routinely conducted
on astronauts
at the Johnson
Space Center.
According to the authors,
"there were no clear
dose-response patterns
for performance
on either [the] Strategic
Management Simulation
or Cognition"
evaluations.
They report that
"performance on most
Strategic Management
Simulation measures
and aggregate speed,
accuracy and efficiency
scores across Cognition
tests were lower
at 1200 ppm
that at baseline
(600 ppm); however,
at higher CO2
concentrations
performance w
as similar to
or exceeded
baseline for
most measures"
Overall, they conclude
"performance
across tests
did not differ
between
baseline (600 ppm)
and the higher
concentrations."
Their findings agree with
Rodeheffer et al. (2018),
who demonstrated rising
atmospheric CO2 levels
represent no direct threat
to human cognitive
performance and
decision making.
This study adds to the
growing body of evidence
of no negative impacts
of rising atmospheric CO2
on human health.
The chart below shows
a mean ± 95% confidence
intervals of percentile ranks
for Strategic Management
Simulation measures at
targeted CO2
concentrations:
References
Liu, W., Zhong, W.
and Wargocki, P.
2017
Performance, acute
health symptoms and
physiological responses
during exposure to
high air temperature
and carbon dioxide
concentration.
Building and Environment 114: 96-105.
Monsé, C/. Jettkant, B.,
Schramm, B.K.H., Broding, H.C.,
Knappe, M., Michl, M., Hoffmeyer, F.,
Sucher, K., Brüning, T. and Bünger, J.
2019
Effects of exposure
to carbon dioxide
in potash miners.
Advances in Experimental Medicine
and Biology - Neuroscience
and Respiration 42: 1-10.
Rodeheffer, C.D., Chabal, S.,
Clarke, J.M. and Fothergill, D.M.
2018
Acute exposure to
low-to-moderate
carbon dioxide levels and
submariner decision making.
Aerospace Medicine
and Human Performance 89: 520-525.