Which of the following aerial contaminants might cause systemic effects?

Carbon dioxide is known to cause systemic effects because it plays a significant role in human physiology, particularly in respiratory function. At elevated concentrations, carbon dioxide can lead to a range of systemic health effects due to its impact on the body’s acid-base balance, which can result in respiratory acidosis. This occurs when carbon dioxide levels in the blood increase, leading to impaired oxygen delivery to tissues and potential disturbances in neurological function.

Systemic effects from carbon dioxide exposure can include symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, and even loss of consciousness in extreme cases. It acts throughout the body rather than just locally at the site of exposure, thus causing systemic ramifications.

In contrast, the other contaminants listed, while they may have health impacts, tend to cause more localized issues or specific physiological effects rather than broad systemic effects across different body systems. Dust particles can lead to respiratory irritation primarily, hydrogen gas is primarily asphyxiant in high concentrations, and ozone exposure is linked to respiratory distress but is more about acute local effects rather than systemic toxicity.