Serious Concerns Over Masks and Carbon Dioxide Levels

Serious Concerns Over Masks and Carbon Dioxide Levels

The normal breathing process is when you inhale, you are breathing in oxygen. When you exhale, you are breathing out carbon dioxide/CO2. By prolonged use of masks, you are disrupting the normal airway, breathing process, and inhaling excessive carbon dioxide/CO2 instead of oxygen.

Carbon dioxide is classified as an asphyxiant gas. Are these required face coverings safe? According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration here are safe CO2 level working conditions.

  • Carbon dioxide levels and potential health problems are indicated below:
  • 250-350 ppm: background (normal) outdoor air level.
  • 350-1,000 ppm: typical level found in occupied spaces with good air exchange
  • 1,000-2,000 ppm: level associated with complaints of drowsiness and poor air
  • 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: This indicates unusual air conditions were high levels of other gases also could be present. Toxicity or oxygen deprivation could occur. This is the permissible exposure limit for daily workplace exposures.

What are the CO2 levels for an 11 yr old child wearing different types of masks and face shield, not exerting himself, just sitting?

– Bandana – 9,557 +
– Surgical mask – 8,934 +
– Surgical mask – 8,946 +
– Face Shield – 1,541 +


– N95 mask – 8,486 and then up to 10,000 and beyond, so high it went to an immeasurable range for the device.
– Surgical mask – 8,934 +
– Face Shield – 1,541 +
– Bandana – 9,557 +

From OSHA website
“Carbon dioxide is classified as an asphyxiant gas. In the atmosphere, CO2 normally exists at concentrations between 300 and 700 ppm. Larger gas-phase concentrations of CO2 may produce signs and symptoms of increased respiratory rate, lassitude, sleepiness, headache, convulsions, dyspnea, sweating, dizziness, or narcosis. Literature citations reveal a wide variation in the physiological response to exposures at certain CO2”
From The Highwire with Del Bigtree.

Countries where schools opened. There was no spike. Children are very unlikely to contract or transmit the virus.

Thank you Betsy Ball Clark

Watch Del Bigtree of the Highwire’s episodes on this.

Leave a Reply