Increased carbon dioxide concentrations in the air over the past 20 years have led to changes in human blood chemistry, Australian researchers have found. According to data published in the journal "Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health," bicarbonate levels in the blood have risen while calcium levels have dropped, reports infohub.kz.
Associate Professor Alexander Larcombe from the Telethon Kids Institute in Australia and his colleagues analyzed medical records of more than seven thousand U.S. residents from 1999 onward. They found that over two decades, the average bicarbonate level in participants' blood increased by about 7%, mirroring the rise in atmospheric CO2. At the same time, calcium and phosphorus levels in the body decreased.
Bicarbonate is essential for maintaining acid-base balance. By accumulating it, the body compensates for excess carbon dioxide, keeping pH levels stable. The authors warn that if current trends continue, bicarbonate levels could approach the upper limit of normal within the next 50 years.
The researchers urge that rising atmospheric CO2 be viewed not only as a climate change factor but also as a long-term health risk for humans.