Carbon dioxide is a gas consisting of one part carbon and two parts oxygen. It is one of the most important gases on the earth because plants use it to produce carbohydrates in a process called photosynthesis. Since humans and animals depend on plants for food, photosynthesis is necessary for the survival of life on earth.

However, CO₂ can also have negative effects. As CO₂ builds up in our atmosphere it has a warming effect that could change the earth’s climate. Indoors, CO₂ levels easily rise above the recommended amount which has adverse effects.

Indoor Carbon Dioxide concentrations are driven by a combination of outdoor CO₂, indoor breathing and the ventilation rate of the building. As buildings and homes become more energy efficient and airtight, this means we have less fresh air. Many of the ventilation systems we use today recycle air to conserve energy, essentially moving the contaminated air around rather than cycling in new air. This results in high CO₂ concentrations and poor Indoor Air Quality.

What are the effects of CO₂?

When levels of CO₂ rise and there is less fresh air, it can cause headaches, restlessness, drowsiness and more. High levels are directly correlated to low productivity, high sick leave and infectious disease transmission, making this a crucial concern in office, school and home environments.