What sorts of 02 and CO2 levels can humans tolerate?

Question

I know that excess of either can cause problems, I'd like to know specific percentages for optimal health and the absolute limits.

I've tried to google it but i get swamped with global warming articles.

This is just for my own information.

Answer 1

each person reacts differently, especially if someone has gone a long time with one or the other -think COPD.

Answer 2

Your question falls under the area of aviation and diving medicine. When you change atmospheric pressure, the percentages can be changed dramatically. For example, at 25, 000 fee, there is roughly 1/3 the oxygen at sea level. You could survive about 15 minutes. On the other hand, at 33 feet of water pressure, you are getting twice the oxygen pressure in your lungs or 42%. For symptoms of toxicity, see http://www.emedicine.com/plastic/topic52...

Of course, there other dangers associated with extreme pressures as well, such as barotrauma and decompression sickness. As divers go below 50 feet, special gas mixtures are required to minimize O2 toxicity and nitrogen buildup (The Bends).

On submarines, CO2 is regularly monitored and kept below 1% for peak efficiency. Ideally, we try to keep the range as close to normal, since fatigue and restlessness begin when it exceeds 1%.

To answer the question, O2 best range - 18-100%. Critical range - 13-18% or over 110%. Outside of that will cause problems.

CO2 - 0.2 to 1%. Related excellent article:

http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/...

There are many other changes associated with changes in oxygen and CO2 such as visual activity, night vision, concentration, etc.

Search on "submarine atmosphere monitoring" and you will get a lot of info.

Answer 3

oxygen has no effect but carbon dioxide is a green house gas so causes global warming it takes up about 0.05 % on average, it looks pretty less.....on a average traffic jam the levels of carbondioxide in that ecosystem can go upto 0.85% and in concentrations of 5% and above causes dizziness and coughing and at about 7% of this crazy gas ur dead........