https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260814235845.htm
Study published in journal Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health by scientists from The Kids Research Institute Australia, Curtin University and The Australian National University (ANU).
Science Daily Excerpts: 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. …
New research has identified long-term changes in blood chemistry that appear to track rising atmospheric CO2, raising concerns that an important blood marker could approach the upper end of its healthy range within the next several decades. …
The findings may be particularly important for children and teenagers. Because their bodies are still developing, younger generations are expected to experience the greatest lifetime exposure to elevated atmospheric CO2. …
Study author Associate Professor Alexander Larcombe said the results indicate that the body may already be adjusting to changes in the composition of the atmosphere.
“What we’re seeing is a gradual shift in blood chemistry that mirrors the rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide, which is driving climate change,” A/Prof Larcombe said. …
Modeling indicates average bicarbonate levels could approach the upper limit of today’s accepted healthy range within 50 years. …
“As CO2 in the air is now higher than humans have ever experienced, it appears to be building up in our bodies. Maybe we can never adapt such that it is vitally important to limit atmospheric levels of CO2.” …
According to A/Prof Larcombe, increasing CO2 may need to be considered not only as an environmental concern, but also as a long-term public health factor that should be monitored. …
“But this suggests there may be gradual physiological changes occurring at a population level, and that’s something we should be monitoring as part of future climate change policy.” …
The findings also raise the possibility that lowering emissions could have an additional role in protecting long-term human health…
