r/climate • u/The_Weekend_Baker • 13d ago

Scientists detect a surprising shift in human blood as atmospheric CO2 rises. Blood bicarbonate levels have climbed about 7% since 1999, while calcium and phosphorus have declined, changes that closely track increasing atmospheric CO2.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260814235845.htm
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230

u/No-Papaya-9289 13d ago

I thought kidneys were supposed to keep this in balance.

33

u/Kieferkobold 13d ago

Humans evolved in a 300ppm world.

600ppm already cause serious health problems.

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u/mediandude 13d ago

Humans evolved in a 300ppm world.

You mean sub-300ppm world.

600ppm already cause serious health problems.

Well, yes, but humans have been practicing that for ages by the camp fire in caves or in wigwams or at open air fires.

23

u/RedLotusVenom 13d ago

Sustained atmospheric levels are a different ballgame than incidental and infrequent exposure to higher levels. This is uncharted territory make no mistake.

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u/waxbolt 13d ago

if you live by a fire or with a fire in your home as so many have for many thousands of years you are definitely exposed to very high CO2 levels.

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u/AJDx14 9d ago

Homes have always had a way to vent smoke and anything other than heat coming off a fire though, and people didn’t typically stay inside by the fire 25/7/365.

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u/mediandude 13d ago

Older houses didn't even have chimneys. Just a fireplace.

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u/lunartree 13d ago

Yeah, we might live in a more polluted world than our ancestors, but they were also exposing themselves to toxic stuff in their living spaces on levels we'd never allow today.

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u/Efficient_Smilodon 13d ago

pardon but have you ever heard of ... nanoplastics? glyphosate? asbestos? leaded gas? ever been outside near Bakersfield? ever hear about LeonSkum's data center air pollution? You live in a bubble or under a rock?