SIGNIFICANCE OF RISES IN URINARY BICARBONATE CONTENTS AND PH RELATED WITH INCREASED ATMOSPHERIC CARBON-DIOXIDE IN TOKYO

Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration was measured at several locat ions in Tokyo, for two weeks, in December, 1995 and 1996, and was foun d to be increased up to 550 ppm, while it was shown by us to be 450 pp m in December, 1994. These results demonstrate that atmospheric carbon dioxide is steadily increasing at faster rates in Tokyo than we expec t, though it has been considered that the atmospheric carbon dioxide i s still as much as 350 ppm. Bicarbonate concentration and pH of urine of 13 medical students in Tokyo were also measured for the same period in December of 1995 and 1996, and mere found to be significantly incr eased compared with the values that were reported in the past. Further more, urinary bicarbonate and pH were extensively increased, when 4 an d 5 students made 3-hour car trip in two different cars with all windo ws closed, where carbon dioxide was increased up to about 5000 ppm wit hin 1 hour. These results support our previous hypothesis that the inc rease of atmospheric carbon dioxide may be reflected by the increase o f urinary bicarbonate and pH, Our results also suggest that the enviro nmental situation is being seriously aggravated in Tokyo, year by year , in terms of atmospheric carbon dioxide. (C) 1997 Tohoku University M edical Press.