The effects of acute hypercapnia on human thermoregulation during cold exposure were investigated by immersion of eight male subjects to the neck in a 15 degrees C water bath until their core temperatures dropped to 35 degrees C or until 1 h of immersion had elapsed. Air was inspired throughout each experiment, with the exception of a 15-min period commencing with the attainment of an esophageal temperature (Tes) of 36.5 degrees C, during which subjects inspired a gas mixture containing 4% CO2, 20% O2, and 76% N2. Oxygen uptake (VO2, L.min-1), inspired minute ventilation (Vi, L.min-1), esophageal temperature (Tes, degrees C), rectal temperature (Tre, degrees C), mean unweighted skin temperature (Tsk, degrees C), mean heat flux (Q, W.m-2), and electromyographic activity (EMG, mV) of the trapezius and masseter muscles were recorded continuously. VO2 and integrated EMG activity (IEMG) were used as the primary indicators of shivering thermogenesis. Shivering EMG was attenuated immediately following the switch of the inhaled gas mixture from air to 4% CO2. For both the masseter and trapezius muscles the IEMG was significantly suppressed (p < 0.05) during the hypercapnic period. The IEMG values preceding the switch to the hypercapnic mixture were 15% greater than those during the CO2 period. Similarly, IEMG values in the post-CO2 period were 55% greater than during the CO2 period. It is concluded that acute periods of hypercapnia during cold exposure may result in transient suppression of shivering tremor, but this does not appear to affect thermal balance, as reflected in the absence of any significant effect on Tes.