CO2 in the car

In traffic congestions, the typical reaction of the drivers is to switch-on the recirculation mode of the vehicle’s air conditioning system. In the summertime, in many cities with high air humidity and temperatures, people typically drive their cars in recirculation mode as well, to ensure the best cooling. However, the recirculation mode of the air in the cabin prevents O2 from entering and leads to an increase in CO2. In confined spaces (e.g., a vehicle cabin), the raised CO2 concentration due to human exhalation and metabolism is associated with increased health symptoms, decreased concentration, and impaired performance.