What physiological effect occurs at 10% Carbon Dioxide concentration?

At a 10% concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2), the physiological effect that primarily occurs is loss of consciousness. This level of carbon dioxide is significantly higher than normal atmospheric concentrations, which are around 0.04%. At 10% CO2, the body is exposed to an environment where the oxygen level is drastically reduced, leading to hypoxia (insufficient oxygen delivery to the body). The elevated CO2 causes increased acidity in the blood, which can impair the function of the brain and other vital organs.

As the concentration rises, the central nervous system is affected more severely, leading to symptoms that include confusion, disorientation, and ultimately unconsciousness. This is critical to understand, as the body cannot tolerate such high levels of CO2 for extended periods without serious consequences.

While nausea, increased heart rate, and headaches can also occur at elevated CO2 levels, they generally manifest at lower concentrations. Loss of consciousness is a distinct and severe consequence that specifically correlates with the high concentration in question, illustrating the dangerous impact that elevated CO2 has on human physiology.