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I live in a badly-ventilated room in a converted loft with no windows and constantly worry about this sort of thing. Other than buying oxygen-producing plants

I live in a badly-ventilated room in a converted loft with no windows and constantly worry about this sort of thing. Other than buying oxygen-producing plants (which tend to die on me when my back is turned) I'm not sure how to alleviate the situation.

graeme 7y ago
The only solution is moving. Your place probably violates housing code from the sounds of it. But if you want to be sure, you can get a decent co2 monitor for less than $100. I use this one: https://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-Autopilot-Desktop-Monitor-Logger/dp/B01FYWU2IS/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=co2+monitor&qid=1557334844&s=gateway&sr=8-3 https://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-Autopilot-Desktop-Monitor-L... People on this thread mention co2 monitors can't be so cheap, but I'm under the impression this is actually measuring co2 and not o2/vocs. Can anyone confirm? You're likely living there as your economic circumstances compel it. I would say that if the sensor shows a high co2 number, you should carefully consider all options you have in your life and see if there is any way out of this situation. If the studies are correct about high co2's effect on cognition, sleep etc then this home environment is likely contributing to keeping you in whatever situation you struggle to escape from. (If $90 is too much, you can perhaps borrow one from someone local)
- ksplice 7y ago
  Have you tried running one of those near major road intersections, with lots of cars idling? I spend all day in the office with windows looking on a parking lot with two intersections nearby. Considering how much it always stinks of car exhaust right outside, I have a strong suspicion that ventilation that everyone so praises here might not be all that beneficial. But $100+ for CO2 detector is too expensive for where I live. There are tons of papers on this subject (thanks Sci-Hub!), but the results they report vary so much that it is difficult to draw any conclusions.
  - graeme 7y ago
    An idling truck on my street will fairly quickly raise my indoor co2 levels unless I shut the window. You also get particulate pollution. My guess is you’re right, and in your local area ventilation may not help. Though it depends on distance from the road. Dissipation happens fairly quickly with distance iirc. Haven’t been able to test at a freeway, mm co2 meter requires an electric outlet.
gnopgnip 7y ago
The linked article says the results are inconclusive on the effect of CO2 indoors.

graeme 7y ago

The only solution is moving. Your place probably violates housing code from the sounds of it. But if you want to be sure, you can get a decent co2 monitor for less than $100. I use this one: https://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-Autopilot-Desktop-Monitor-Logger/dp/B01FYWU2IS/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=co2+monitor&qid=1557334844&s=gateway&sr=8-3 https://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-Autopilot-Desktop-Monitor-L... People on this thread mention co2 monitors can't be so cheap, but I'm under the impression this is actually measuring co2 and not o2/vocs. Can anyone confirm? You're likely living there as your economic circumstances compel it. I would say that if the sensor shows a high co2 number, you should carefully consider all options you have in your life and see if there is any way out of this situation. If the studies are correct about high co2's effect on cognition, sleep etc then this home environment is likely contributing to keeping you in whatever situation you struggle to escape from. (If $90 is too much, you can perhaps borrow one from someone local)

ksplice 7y ago
Have you tried running one of those near major road intersections, with lots of cars idling? I spend all day in the office with windows looking on a parking lot with two intersections nearby. Considering how much it always stinks of car exhaust right outside, I have a strong suspicion that ventilation that everyone so praises here might not be all that beneficial. But $100+ for CO2 detector is too expensive for where I live. There are tons of papers on this subject (thanks Sci-Hub!), but the results they report vary so much that it is difficult to draw any conclusions.
- graeme 7y ago
  An idling truck on my street will fairly quickly raise my indoor co2 levels unless I shut the window. You also get particulate pollution. My guess is you’re right, and in your local area ventilation may not help. Though it depends on distance from the road. Dissipation happens fairly quickly with distance iirc. Haven’t been able to test at a freeway, mm co2 meter requires an electric outlet.

gnopgnip 7y ago

The linked article says the results are inconclusive on the effect of CO2 indoors.