Data logging activities

Purpose

The purpose of this experiment is to measure the difference in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission in normal air and from air exhaled by a person, here represented by EMU, the mascot of the Danish educational portal, emu.dk.

 

Procedure

Connect the CO₂ sensor with the USB link to a USB port on your computer and you will see this picture on the screen.

 

 

Choose EZ-SCREEN and you will see this:

 

 

 

ppm = parts per million.

In the picture below, the CO₂ sensor is placed in a bottle with normal air.

• Click the green arrow to start datalogging. The green arrow turns to a red circle.

 

Data logging of CO₂ in normal air. On average about 393 ppm = 0.0393 %

In the picture below, EMU is blowing into the bottle.

 

 

 

In the picture below, the equipment is now logging the level of CO₂ in the air exhaled by EMU.

 

 

 

The level of CO₂ in the air exhaled by EMU contains much more CO2 than normal air.

 

Will exposure to carbon dioxide result in harmful effects on health?

Exposure to CO₂ can produce a variety of health effects.  These may include headaches, dizziness, restlessness, a tingling or “pins and needles” feeling, breathing difficulties, sweating, tiredness, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, coma, asphyxia, convulsions and even frostbite if exposed to dry ice.
The levels of CO₂ in the air and potential health problems are:

• 250–350 ppm – background (normal) outdoor air level
• 350–1,000 ppm –level typically found in occupied spaces with good air exchange 
• 1,000–2,000 ppm – level associated with complaints of drowsiness and poor air quality 
• 2,000–5,000 ppm – level associated with headaches, sleepiness and stagnant/stale/stuffy air.  Poor concentration, loss of attention, increased heart rate and slight nausea may also be present. 
• >5,000 ppm – Exposure may lead to serious oxygen deprivation resulting in permanent brain damage, coma and even death.