title: The effect of occlusion on carbon dioxide emission from human skin.
abstract: The effect of occlusion on the carbon dioxide (CO2) emission rate (CDER) of human skin was determined. Occlusive plastic tape elevated the CDER 4.5 times (90nl/cm2/hr) over the normal CDER (20nl/cm2/hr). This increase was noted within a 3-hour period. Non-occlusive paper tape had no effect on CDER. Quantitation of the amount of CO2 under plastic tape revealed that CO2 was present at a concentration of 8-10%. Removal of the plastic tape after 24 hours allowed the CDER to return to approximately normal values within 2 hours. The mechanism by which occlusive plastic tape mediates this dramatic effect on CDER as well as the significance of elevated CO2 concentrations under occlusion are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D010209:Paper; D010969:Plastics; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D002245:Carbon Dioxide