this post was submitted on 30 May 2025
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Found a study back in 2012 that went over human activity at different concentrations. Just wanted to know what the current research is on the subject. Back when the sudy was performed they observed Although typical outdoor CO2 concentrations are approximately 380 ppm which is lower than what we see nowadays (climate change and all that).

Synthesis and interpretation of findings. Performance for six of nine decision-making measures decreased moderately but significantly at 1,000 ppm relative to the baseline of 600 ppm, and seven decreased substantially at 2,500 ppm. For an eighth scale, “information search,” no significant differences were seen across conditions. In contrast to other scales, an inverse pattern was seen for “focused activity,” with the highest level of focus obtained at 2,500 ppm and the lowest at 600 ppm.  
Thus, most decision-making variables showed a decline with higher concentrations of CO2, but measures of focused activity improved. Focused activity is important for overall productivity, but high levels of focus under nonemergency conditions may indicate “overconcentration.” Prior research with the SMS has shown repeatedly that individuals who experience difficulty in functioning [e.g., persons with mild-to-moderate head injuries (Satish et al. 2008), persons under the influence of alcohol (Streufert et al. 1993), and persons suffering from allergic rhinitis (Satish et al. 2004)] tend to become highly focused on smaller details at the expense of the big picture.  

I would like to know the potential effects higher concentrations of CO2 will have on a growing human population of the future 20-50-100 years from now? Hope that makes sense.

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[–] huquad@lemmy.ml 4 points 4 days ago (1 children)

ISS CO2 levels get pretty high compared to ground, so we have 30+ years of data from human spaceflight alone.

[–] mesamunefire@piefed.social 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Nice didn't think of that!

[–] huquad@lemmy.ml 3 points 4 days ago

Following up on this. ISS limits are close to 3000-4000ppm.

[–] jeffw@lemmy.world 3 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

I imagine these results would hold. They seem intuitive, except that one inverse one (it’s a small sample size though)

But with that being said, the CO2 levels in our atmosphere aren’t going to get that high. Indoor levels can reach the levels in this study, but it would take centuries for our atmospheric CO2 to get that high.

[–] mesamunefire@piefed.social 1 points 4 days ago

The study was only with 22 people so I wonder if there has been other research on other activities/larger datasets/etc...etc...

I would argue that any measurable effect on CO2 levels will affect humans on some macro level. As you say, it will most likely not affect activity in the low range (and within our lifetimes), but as time goes on, I would expect the data to point to many sociological effects. I have no evidence of course, hence why Im trying to take a look.