Abstract

Anthropogenic activities are increasing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere and current levels are likely much greater than the levels experienced throughout human evolution. There is mounting experimental evidence that lifetime exposure to these increasing atmospheric CO₂ levels can negatively impact the normal physiology of organisms. Recent extended analysis of human population blood chemistry from 1999 to 2020 shows trends in serum bicarbonate (HCO₃), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) that are indicative of CO₂ overload in the body. Breathing is our means to expel CO₂ although, as CO₂ levels in the air increase, our respiration rate likely remains unchanged since this is controlled by pH levels which are being stabilised by physiological compensation. This leads to accumulation of CO₂ in the body, serum bicarbonate levels increase and is then stored in the bones (and potentially other tissues) along with Ca and P which are reduced in the blood. Trend analysis estimates that bicarbonate, calcium and phosphorus values will be at the limit of healthy ranges in about 50 years. It appears that humans are not adapted to the physiological impact of long-term elevated atmospheric CO₂. Studies indicate that excess bicarbonate/carbon dioxide has the potential to cause, and might already be involved with, significant health effects such as neural damage, cognitive decline, anxiety, oxidative stress, cancer, inflammation, tissue calcification, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease etc. Given that the rise in atmospheric CO₂ may be a phenomenon that has significant momentum, this issue needs to be addressed with great urgency.

Speaker bio

Dr Phil Bierwirth is a retired geoscientist and has extensive experience in research across university, government and industry organisations. In 2004, he obtained his PhD from Australian National University (ANU) working on spectral geology and imaging spectroscopy. His specialty areas have included geology, volcanology, mineral exploration, environmental geoscience, laboratory and imaging spectroscopy, remote sensing and climate change. His recent focus is on the direct health impact of the changing breathable atmosphere while affiliated with the ANU Emeritus Faculty.