In the colony-building gameOxygen Not Included, managing the health and well-being of your duplicants is a constant challenge. One of the more frustrating conditions that can affect your little space settlers is called ‘Yucky Lungs.’ This status debuff may seem minor at first, but over time, it can cause significant performance issues, impacting your duplicants’ efficiency and the overall survival of your base. Understanding how Yucky Lungs works, what causes it, and how to prevent it is essential for maintaining a healthy, breathable environment in your underground world.
What Is Yucky Lungs in Oxygen Not Included?
Definition and Effects
Yucky Lungs is a negative status effect that appears inOxygen Not Includedwhen duplicants inhale contaminated or unclean air for an extended period. This debuff represents respiratory irritation caused by pollutants like slimelung germs or exposure to certain gases. While not as deadly as full-on diseases, Yucky Lungs will slow down your duplicants by decreasing their Athletics attribute. This means slower movement, reduced productivity, and general inefficiency around the base.
Symptoms in Duplicants
Duplicants suffering from Yucky Lungs may show signs such as coughing or pausing for breath during activities. You can also see a status notification in their vitals or info screen that confirms they are affected. Although the debuff does not directly damage health, over time it can compound with other negative factors like stress, injuries, or heat exhaustion to create bigger problems.
Causes of Yucky Lungs
Polluted Oxygen
The primary cause of Yucky Lungs is breathing polluted oxygen. This gas appears in areas where slime is exposed to air or where polluted water off-gasses. Duplicants working near exposed slime biomes or polluted pools are at a high risk of developing Yucky Lungs. Poor airflow and unfiltered living quarters can exacerbate the issue.
Uncontrolled Germ Spread
Slimelung germs, found mostly in slime biomes, are another contributor. These germs thrive in polluted oxygen and will continue to spread if not contained. Duplicants exposed to these germs through breathing or contact with infected surfaces are more likely to develop lung-related conditions, including Yucky Lungs.
Inadequate Ventilation
Without proper airflow, carbon dioxide and polluted oxygen can build up in areas where duplicants eat, sleep, or work. If there’s no clean air circulation, duplicants are forced to inhale whatever is available, even if it’s toxic. This makes base design and air flow systems critically important for preventing air-related conditions like Yucky Lungs.
Consequences of Ignoring Yucky Lungs
Reduced Athletics and Movement
With Yucky Lungs, duplicants move more slowly, reducing how quickly they can complete tasks. This has a cascading effect on base productivity, as slower duplicants mean longer task completion times, delayed repairs, and inefficient deliveries. In high-pressure situations, such as a power outage or food shortage, this can become dangerous.
Increased Stress and Morale Impact
Sluggish movement and constant coughing can frustrate duplicants, increasing their stress levels. If left unchecked, high stress can lead to destructive behaviors like vomiting or damaging important structures. This makes even a minor debuff like Yucky Lungs a potential threat to colony morale and stability.
Health and Medical Resource Drain
Although Yucky Lungs does not directly decrease health points, it may require medical attention if combined with germ infections or exhaustion. Medical cots, doctor time, and medicine production all cost resources that could be used elsewhere. Preventing Yucky Lungs saves both time and materials.
How to Prevent Yucky Lungs
Air Filtration Systems
The most effective method to prevent Yucky Lungs is to ensure your duplicants always have access to clean, breathable oxygen. Builddeodorizersnear slime biomes and polluted areas to convert polluted oxygen into clean oxygen. Useair scrubbersandoxygen diffusersto maintain breathable environments, especially near high-traffic zones.
Slime Containment
When digging into slime biomes, use atmo suits or exosuits to prevent duplicants from directly inhaling the contaminated air. Also, store slime in sterile, sealed rooms with low temperatures to reduce germ spread. Utilizeoxygen masksor create checkpoints with full atmo suit docks when working in high-risk areas.
Improved Ventilation Design
Design your base with airflow in mind. Use airflow tiles to allow oxygen to travel more freely between floors. Set up gas pumps and vents to redirect polluted gases away from common areas. Avoid sealing rooms without checking gas content, as trapped gases can quickly degrade air quality.
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
Polluted water spills and contaminated materials should be cleaned or stored properly. Always prioritize mop-up tasks in food areas or dormitories. Build a separate storage room for polluted materials and keep it sealed and ventilated. Use sweepers and auto-loaders to automate cleanup and reduce duplicant exposure.
Treating Duplicants with Yucky Lungs
Isolating the Cause
Once a duplicant is affected, the first step is to identify the source. Check the air quality in their living and workspaces. Use the ventilation overlay to spot pockets of polluted oxygen or high germ counts. Eliminate or neutralize these areas to stop the spread.
Medical Attention
Send the duplicant to a medical cot if symptoms worsen or if they are also infected with slimelung. Make sure your medbay is well-ventilated and free from contaminated surfaces. A combination of rest, good food, and clean air usually clears the debuff over time.
Boosting Immune System
Provide duplicants with high-quality meals to boost their immune systems. Foods like barbecue, pepper bread, and mushroom wraps provide better stress and health management. Keep duplicants on regular sleep schedules and reduce their workload if they are showing signs of exhaustion or illness.
Additional Tips for Managing Air Quality
- Use the Germ Overlay frequently to monitor slime exposure zones.
- Build oxygen check valves near living quarters to maintain air purity.
- Train duplicants in improved medicine and advanced suit wearing to reduce health risks.
- Use automation to control doors and limit movement through polluted zones.
Yucky Lungs may seem like a minor nuisance inOxygen Not Included, but its long-term impact on duplicant performance can’t be ignored. By focusing on clean oxygen production, smart base ventilation, and slime containment, players can greatly reduce the risk of respiratory issues. Prevention is always better than cure, and by proactively designing your colony with air quality in mind, you’ll keep your duplicants healthy, productive, and ready to tackle the next space-age crisis. Don’t let dirty air slow down your progress build smart, breathe clean, and keep Yucky Lungs out of your colony.