Being or living close to an emission source is not detrimental to your health. The problem, however, is that increasing CO₂ emissions are raising the atmospheric CO₂ levels, which in turn is intensifying the greenhouse effect. The effect on global warming is not dependent on where carbon dioxide is emitted. What counts is the total amount of global CO₂ emissions.

CO₂ is not toxic, unless you are locked inside a room full of CO₂, which can lead to suffocation by the displacement of breathable oxygen. CO₂ is added to soft drinks to make the bubbles (‘carbonated drinks’). In its solid state, CO₂ is called dry ice, which is widely used to cool food, drinks, etc. CO₂ is also used in greenhouses and fire extinguishers. Currently, the use of CO₂ for heating and air-cooling of cars is being tested.

At normal temperatur es and pressure, CO₂ is a gas. Under normal atmospheric pressure, it goes directly from gas to solid (‘dry ice’) at −78.5 °C. Liquid carbon dioxide forms only at pressures above 5.1 atm. CO₂ gas is heavier than air, but when discharged in air it mixes thoroughly with air within a relatively short time.