Rising carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may be leaving a measurable imprint inside the human body. Researchers analyzing more than two decades of U.S. health data found that blood bicarbonate levels have climbed about 7% since 1999, while calcium and phosphorus have declined—changes that closely track increasing atmospheric CO2.
My dad had COPD, which also increases the CO2 levels in the blood. His body was able to adapt to the gradual increase as his illness progressed, the problems arose when he had even the mildest illness, causing a rapid spike. His body couldn’t adapt fast enough and suddenly he’d be on oxygen but still asphyxiating. It was awful.