# Submarine Indoor Air Quality and Crew Health: A Critical Narrative State-of-the-Art Review of Respiratory and Cardiovascular Risks

## TL;DR

This review explores how poor air quality in submarines can harm crew health, highlighting risks to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of submarine air quality and its health impacts, emphasizing gaps in current filtration and monitoring systems.

## Key findings

- Elevated levels of CO2, VOCs, NOX, CO, PM2.5, and bioaerosols are consistently reported in submarine air.
- Exposure is linked to airway irritation, endothelial dysfunction, cardiovascular stress, and neurobehavioral effects.
- Current filtration systems are insufficient for managing complex multipollutant mixtures effectively.

## Abstract

Background: Submarines represent extremely confined environments where breathing air is continuously recirculated for extended periods with minimal renewal, generating complex multipollutant atmospheres. Objectives: This critical narrative review aims to (i) summarize sources and composition of submarine indoor air, (ii) evaluate respiratory and cardiovascular risks for crews, and (iii) assess current purification technologies. Methods: A narrative review was conducted following PRISMA recommendations applicable to non-systematic reviews. The PubMed search covered all years from inception to September 2025, complemented by backward citation tracking and technical reports. Results: Eligible studies consistently report elevated levels of CO2, VOCs, NOX, CO, PM2.5, and bioaerosols aboard submarines. Evidence from submariner cohorts and toxicological studies indicates risks of airway irritation, impaired mucociliary defenses, endothelial dysfunction, cardiovascular stress, and neurobehavioral alterations. Conclusions: Submarine indoor air quality is a credible determinant of crew health. Existing filtration systems mitigate some risks but do not address multipollutant mixtures adequately. Improved real-time monitoring, advanced filtration, CFD-guided airflow optimization, and longitudinal medical surveillance are necessary.