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Air Health Our Health

Air Health Our Health

By AirHealthOurHealth

Lung and ICU doctor connecting the dots among healthy air, healthy people and a healthy economy. I want to keep people from landing in my clinic or the ICU. Clean air saves lives.

If you do nothing else, don't light things on fire and breathe them into your lungs.

Learn more at airhealthourhealth.org, and follow on Facebook and Instagram!

Nuestro Aire Nuestra Salud- serie en español con doctora de pulmon y cuidados intensivos

Busque podcasts con títulos en español y el logotipo de “Nuestro Aire Nuestra Salud” para ver más episodios en español.
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A County vs Big Tobacco- Fighting Flavors and Defending Kids

Air Health Our HealthApr 25, 2022

00:00
29:34
The Killer in the Kitchen Counter- Silica with Dr. Jeremy Hua

The Killer in the Kitchen Counter- Silica with Dr. Jeremy Hua

Dr Jeremy T. Hua MD, MPH is a lung doctor at National Jewish Health  in the Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences. He specializes in patients who get sick from where they work and how we can help keep them healthy.

Today we discuss crystalline silica and the booming lung disease caused by inhaling it. Many of the workplaces are smaller, and employers may be unaware of the risk to employees or be put at a competitive disadvantage if they do address the risk and wider standards are not in place to protect all workers. However, the products involving quartz are everywhere, often in our kitchens, bathrooms and more.

Listen and learn how so many of the products in are lives increasingly use engineered stone, how silica exposure is increasing, and what needs to be done.


To Do

- Learn more about silicosis from the American Lung Association or at the post for this episode. 

- When considering a kitchen upgrade or other changes, consider avoiding engineered stone unless you know it has been made with high safety standards in place. 

- Write to your members of Congress to encourage robust funding and staffing of OSHA and MSHA. 

- Listen to last month’s podcast episode about coal mining and silica with Dr. Drew Harris to learn more about how to support miners.

- Consider a donation to the American Lung Association, who advocates for patients with lung diseases including Silicosis.

(Episode cover art from ALA Silicosis resources)


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Mar 04, 202424:35
Bonus episode! Good news for clean air!
Feb 08, 202432:51
The Cost of Coal & Importance of Advocacy- Black Lung Disease with Dr. Drew Harris

The Cost of Coal & Importance of Advocacy- Black Lung Disease with Dr. Drew Harris

Dr. Drew Harris, MD, FCCP is a lung doctor who specializes in lung disease related to coal mine dust and is passionate about healthcare for rural and disadvantaged populations. He serves as the medical director of the Black Lung Program at Stone Mountain Health Services in southwest Virginia. He joins me today to discuss the black lung crisis in Central Appalachia, where over 1000 people have been diagnosed recently with progressive massive fibrosis, the most feared form of black lung disease. We discuss today what causes this completely preventable disease, how we can prevent it, and what makes for effective and equitable advocacy in often toxic political climates.

To Do:

1- Contact your members of Congress to tell them that you are worried about the health of people who produce our energy. Insist on occupational safety standard improvement for coal workers and other miners. 

2- From coal workers lung disease to pollution of local communities to climate change, energy derived from coal is unhealthy. See what you can do in your own community to transition off of fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources. 

3- Learn more about this issue from the Appalachian Voice at appvoices.org.

4- If you work in healthcare or have someone in your life affected by lung disease, look into Chest Advocates to learn more about how to advocate in your own community.

5- If you want a framework for how to start advocating, check out the “Clean Air and Climate Advocacy for Busy People” episode from earlier in the season.

6 - Consider a donation to the Appalachian Citizens Law Center at aclc.org who provides free legal representation to coal miners.


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Feb 05, 202434:60
Ring in New Year with Radon Action

Ring in New Year with Radon Action

Happy 2024! Today's episode is a brief one to wish you Happy New Year and to highlight the important issue of radon. You may or may not know if you have been listening to this podcast that January is Radon Action Month. It is important to understand the risk of radon in your home, school and workplace and at a minimum to make sure that your home has been tested if appropriate. To Do:

- Ensure your home is tested for radon– test every 2-5 years if you have not mitigated radon and after home upgrades. More information ⁠here

- Watch and share ⁠Mateo’s video⁠ from Season Two of the podcast educating about the importance of radon testing and action. Listen to that episode for more about public health and equity issues around radon.

- The ⁠EPA ⁠estimates around 1 in 5 schools may have elevated radon levels in at least one  frequently-occupied room. Find out if your child’s school has been tested for radon and whether it has been mitigated, particularly if close to or over the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L

- If you are a health professional, learn more about patient outreach with this ⁠guide to radon⁠.

- For more on the science of radon and how we know it causes cancer, listen to last year’s January podcast with Professor Bill Fields.

- To hear a personal story about someone affected by radon, listen to the podcast with the home inspector Will Graff on Season 1, Episode 22.

- Learn more about the Northwest Radon Coalition ⁠here⁠, and consider a donation to the American Lung Association ⁠here⁠. - If you are willing, please consider leaving this podcast a five star review wherever you are listening. It helps others discover this resource and share about the importance of healthy air!

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Jan 01, 202405:43
The Health of your Air- with Dr. Laura Gladson

The Health of your Air- with Dr. Laura Gladson

How do we find out how air pollution is affecting us at our own county and state level? Dr. Laura Gladson has been a researcher with the Health, Environment, and Policy Program at the NYU Marron Institute of Urban Management since 2014. On this podcast, we discuss the Health of the Air report, which shows how many people are affected in each state and county by air pollution in excess of recommended ATS standards. We also discuss separating out the toll of wildfire smoke exposure and how it affects communities, and what can be done to decrease the toll.

To Do


1- Go to the Health of the Air report to see how impacted your state or county is by air pollution. There is a list by each state at the end of the report. Contact your representatives at every level to see what can be done. Listen to last month’s episode “Clean Air and Climate Advocacy for Busy People” to learn how to get started. 

2- Check the report to see how impacted your state or county is is by wildland fire smoke, and make a plan for protection. Listen to the “Our Health in Wildfire Season” episode to learn more about how to do that. You can also learn more about controlled burns and protecting your home from wildfire in the “Fighting Fire with Fire episode.”

3- You can learn more about ozone from Dr. Nassikas in the “True Cost of Ozone” episode from last season and more about PM2.5 from a host of episodes, including the “What’s in a Standard” episode with Dan Costa from Season 2 and “What’s burning” episode with Dr. Goobie from Season three. 

4- To learn more about personal tools with regards to air pollution, learn more about the Air Quality Index in the “What’s in an Index” episode.

5- Consider a donation to the American Thoracic Society, which funds excellent research like that behind the Health of the Air Report and also advocates for clean air and healthier air quality standards.

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Dec 04, 202329:22
Clean Air & Climate Advocacy for Busy People

Clean Air & Climate Advocacy for Busy People

Most of us have very full busy lives and multiple competing obligations. I've struggled to fit advocacy into my life. In this episode, I share some ways I have found that work for me.

It includes the following:

- Climate Change and Air Pollution 101

- How to engage in advocacy in the community you already have

- Start by starting

- Whatever you can do is enough

Advocacy is an individual journey- bring your whole self to it and also remember to put your own oxygen mask on. You don’t have to do everything, but you can do something. ---

To Do:

Pick one below per week or month if possible, or just pick one! Whatever works for you!

1- Find out who represents you at the city council, county, state and federal level. Send them an e-mail and introduce yourself- remember to connect on values. Lead with stories about how you see clean air and climate change affecting you and your loved ones. Ask to meet with someone on at least one of those levels whether virtually or in person. 

2- Reflect on your current community and relationships- what are you already doing that could meld easily with climate and clean air advocacy?

a. Working on planting (non-pollen generating) trees in parks and in historically red-lined areas? b. Solar panels, EV chargers, more in work/school/community 

c. Joining a church or workplace green committee or starting one? 

d. Look at the supply chain in your work- is there a big target that could be greener? Can you talk to that business about what steps they are taking to improve? 

e. Greening your next meeting or get together- low methane menu options, energy efficiency, water bottle fill stations, etc

3- Scroll Air Health Our Health podcast episodes for topics of interest to you – each one has some action items and resources in the show notes and references in the associated blog link.

 a. Hate noise/pollution and climate impact of leaf blowers? look into ordinances to help replace/retire them with an eye on avoiding negative impact to vulnerable communities. Listen to the “Yards on Fire” episode from Season Three.

b. Passionate about EVs? Learn how the American Lung Association can help you calculate how many asthma exacerbations can be avoided and money saved in your community with the clean energy transition for transportation! Listen to the “Road to Clean Air” episode from Season One to learn more.

c. Concerned about racial inequities? Learn about the history of redlining in your community, and learn how you can clean up the legacy of unhealthy air. Listen to the “Hidden in Plain Sight” episode from last season to learn more.

 d. Worried about wildfires? Learn what you can do to make your community more resilient and prepare yourself and your family. There are a host of wildfire episodes from which to choose, but you can start with the “Our Health in Widlfire Season” episode from Season 2 or the “Fighting Fire with Fire” episode from season 3 to learn more.

 4- Find national organizations working on clean air and a stable climate. Of course, I am fond of the American Lung Association. For parents, Moms Clean Air force is also an option in addition to many more.

5- Consider a donation to the Hawaii Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund to help those affected by the wildfire in Lahaina, which was spurred on by drought and hurricane force winds- both exacerbated by climate change. You can also learn about other ways to donate to address climate change here.

6- Finally, please consider leaving this podcast a 5 star review wherever you listen. I have been informed that it helps people find the podcast. Please also share an episode with friends if you find one that is helpful. If you have concerns and don’t think you can leave a 5 star review, email those concerns to me at airhealthourhealth@gmail.com

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For references - go to airhealthourhealth.org/busyadvocacy

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Nov 06, 202339:34
Heat Kills- Hot Air Dangers & Solutions with Prof Ollie Jay

Heat Kills- Hot Air Dangers & Solutions with Prof Ollie Jay

I was working ICU in June of 2021 during the heat dome in Oregon. Temperatures spiked to 116 degrees, which led to severe critical illness and death in our community. How does heat kill so quickly? What can we do to prevent it? For this episode, I am joined by Professor Ollie Jay. He is the Director of the Heat and Health Research Incubator and Thermal Ergonomics Laboratory in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at The University of Sydney in Australia. He studies extreme heat, and what we can do for ourselves, our homes, and our communities to keep people safe. We talk about the importance of understanding physiology, and how it is so important to know individual risk in individual situations- what we do to keep cool can change depending on our own vulnerabilities, what we are doing, what we are wearing, as well as the temperature and humidity in the air.


To Do 

  1. Install the ClimApp for personalized thermal warnings.

  2. Make a plan for heat events with your family and for what you will do in case of power outages, brown outs and black outs.

  3. Find out who is vulnerable in your home and community, and make sure they know what to do to keep cool in heat.

  4. Check with your school about heat events plans. Let them know about the Extreme Heat Sports tool Ollie Jay shared in this episode. 

  5. Consider a “⁠fan first⁠” strategy in your home in warm weather- set the thermostat higher and use fans for circulation prior to turning on the AC. Save on energy bills and decrease greenhouse gas emissions, though if there is no AC, make sure to pay attention to alerts of thresholds at which fan use may be harmful.

6. Find out what your city, county, and state are doing to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and build for heat resiliency in your community.

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Oct 02, 202341:47
Exercise & Air Quality for Kids & Schools- with Dr. Lowinsky-Desir

Exercise & Air Quality for Kids & Schools- with Dr. Lowinsky-Desir

Kicking off Season Four with a great episode! As the parent of three kids and a lung doctor, I always wonder how best to balance exercise benefits when air quality is marginal. Fortunately, there are experts hard at work on understanding how we should approach this topic.

Dr. Stephanie Lovinsky-Desir is chief of the pediatric pulmonary division at Columbia University and cares for patients and conducts research in the Department of Pediatrics and the Dept Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health. Her multidisciplinary, award-winning, and collaborative research is focused on understanding how environmental factors impact children with asthma, particularly in urban and minority communities.  She recently served on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Act Scientific Advisory Committee as a member of the particulate matter panel in 2021.


On the podcast today, we discuss her research that put pollution monitors on children, and followed them. It turns out they are significantly exposed to pollution during school hours, so it is very important for schools to build clean indoor air infrastructure and to be aware of available resources, such as the EPA Air Quality flag program.

To Do:

1- Download the Airnow.gov app if you haven’t yet- familiarize yourself with the Air Quality Index and who is at risk. 

2- Find out whether your school follows a flag program- if not, consider discussing with your school starting a flag program. You can obtain resources and information at airnow.gov/air-quality-flag-program

3- The EPA offers significant educational materials geared for kids as well, you can find out more about those resources at Airnow.gov, including videos in Spanish and English about air quality. 

4- Our climate is changing and leading to increased wildfire smoke events. Do what you can in your community to address climate change and help mitigation plans, such as plans for clean indoor air. 

5- Learn more about the AQI from Dr. Rosser in the episode “What’s in an Index?” and about PM2.5 from “What’s in a Standard” episode with Dr. Costa. These are both available in Season Two of the podcast. Learn more about ozone, the other component of the AQI from the “Money & Lives” episode from last season. 

6- Consider a donation to the American Lung Association, who in addition to supporting those with lung disease, is constantly fighting for clean air for all. 


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Sep 04, 202326:17
Bonus- Air Quality & Transportation with Healthy Living Healthy Planet Radio

Bonus- Air Quality & Transportation with Healthy Living Healthy Planet Radio

Today's episode is a bonus episode. I was a guest on the Healthy Living Health Planet Radio show over the summer with host Bernice Butler and Professor Frank Kelly of Imperial College London, who is an air pollution expert.

I think this is a very helpful episode because it does break down the basics of air pollution from a variety of sources and how they impact our health. I hope you enjoy it.


If you're interested, you can subscribe to the Healthy Living Healthy Planet Radio podcast  or YouTube channel as well.

For regular Air Health Our Health episodes, be sure to come back the first Monday of each month to this feed-  I will be kicking off season 4 with an episode about how to balance air quality and exercise.

Aug 21, 202350:14
Season Three Finale- Distance Traveled and Future Directions
Jun 05, 202305:39
Hidden in Plain Sight- Red-Lining, Race & Lung Function with Dr. Neeta Thakur

Hidden in Plain Sight- Red-Lining, Race & Lung Function with Dr. Neeta Thakur

Dr. Neeta Thakur is a pulmonary and critical care physician at the University of California San Francisco, where she serves as the Medical Director of the San Francisco General Hospital Chest Clinic, and studies how social and environmental stress negatively affect people suffering from asthma and COPD.  She is working hard to help us understand the history of race adjustment in lung function testing and what we should do going forward to provide better health for all. 


To Do:

1- To learn more about the history of air pollution’s impact on health, you can go back to the first season for a host of episodes. For example, podcast Episode 2 with Dr. Matt Drake and Episode 17 with Dr. Ritz. Learn about how red-lining can affect those asthma risk in Episode 27 with Prof. Shandas.

2- I am serious about the importance of hope! Learn more about how policy can work- listen to Episode 12 about cleaning up diesel school buses with Dr. Adar and Episode 16 with the American Lung Association’s analysis of the economic stimulus and decrease in asthma we might see with a transition to electric vehicles

3- Listen about one person’s story with asthma growing up in a previously red-lined district by listening to Ashia Allen, a patient of mine.

4- For more about air pollution and air toxics in the Portland Metro area, listen to Episode 5 with Mary Peveto and Episode 7 with Prof. Linda George

5- If you haven’t read “The Fire Next Time,” be sure to do so. If you are in healthcare and care for those with respiratory illness, “Breathing Race into the Machine” is certainly worth reading.

6- Finally, consider a donation to the American Thoracic Society, which works tirelessly for clean air and has funded research like that done by Dr. Thakur early in her career. Full disclosure, I volunteer as a member of the ATS Environmental Health Policy Committee.

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May 01, 202340:29
Not Kool- Menthol and Lung Numbing w/ Prof. Sven Jordt

Not Kool- Menthol and Lung Numbing w/ Prof. Sven Jordt

So many people begin their cigarette or e-cigarette addiction by using mint flavors such as menthol. Why is this? What does it do? To answer that question on the pod today, I talk to Dr. Sven Jordt PhD, who is a scientist at Duke who studies menthol and shares his own journey with cigarette addiction and empathizes with the difficulty of quitting. He also is a member of the Tobacco Action Committee of the American Thoracic Society.

Menthol numbs the lungs to let you inhale more toxins and not realize how irritating the chemicals you are inhaling are. This fuels new nicotine addictions. The tobacco industry is trying to get around flavor bans by making chemicals with this property but without the flavor smell. It also turns out that the chemicals that go into an e-cigarette are not the only chemicals that come out after all those chemicals have been sitting in the device at room temperature and mixing over time. 

Flavors, especially menthol, are designed to mask the harshness and danger of inhaled nicotine. 

So what can you do?

  • To hear more about Carrie’s story and about a county trying to protect its youth, listen to “A County vs Big Tobacco” from last season. Talk to your local or state policymakers to see if you can introduce a comprehensive flavor ban in your county or state. Don’t forget to include those new synthetic compounds that numb the lungs like mint but try to escape the “flavor” label! 

  • For more on the history of menthol and its targeting of children in general and the black community in particular, listen to the episode  “A Heartbreaking Trap” with youth pastor Ritney Castine.

  • For more on the odd shapes of e-cigs designed to be hidden in schools, you can look at the Tobacco Education Resource Library

  • To learn how to talk to young people in your life about e-cigarettes, listen to the first episode from this season, #DotheVapeTalk. You can also go to talkaboutvaping.org  for more resources. 

  • If you already use a flavored or menthol inhaled tobacco device and think it’s finally time to quit, check out the “Quit, Don’t Switch” campaign from the American Lung Association for other resources to help quit smoking.

  • Finally, please consider a donation to the American Lung Association, who employs wonderful people like Carrie, fighting hard to rid our communities of the scourge of Big Tobacco.

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Apr 03, 202341:24
Spring Break- An Air Health Our Health Tour

Spring Break- An Air Health Our Health Tour

Today on the podcast, I provide a bit of the history of the Air Health Our Health podcast, why I started it, and what ties it all together. I hope you can use this as a guide to catch up on topics of interest, find podcasts that may be of use to you, and pick an action item or two to make the air in your community cleaner.

FYI- the episode art is part of a selfie my sister sent me while wearing an Air Health Our Health T-shirt while her town was blanketed in unhealthy air from wildfires.

To Do-

1- Twitchy Airways Clubs Members- learn about how the air you breathe affects your health and what you can do to keep your airways open.

2- Rate and review this podcast in whatever software you use. It helps spread the word.

3- Tell a friend about the podcast and share it to help more people learn about the importance of clean air.

4- Pick an episode and look at the “To Do” items for ideas on making you or your community more healthy.

5- Purchase an Air Health Our Health mug, T-shirt, tote, water bottle or more to spread the word about healthy air- find the items on the website under the “Invest-Stuff” tab. Proceeds go to clean up the air.

6- Consider a donation to the American Lung Association, who continues to fight for clean air.


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Mar 06, 202312:26
The Route Makes the Poison- Inhaling Flavors with Prof. Ilona Jaspers

The Route Makes the Poison- Inhaling Flavors with Prof. Ilona Jaspers

We think that if a flavor is safe to eat, it is safe to inhale. This is sadly not true, but many e-cigarette users, especially kids, think that if something is fruity-flavored and being sold to them, it must be safe. It is often not.

Join me in this podcast episode to hear from Professor Ilona Jaspers, PHD, of the departments of pediatrics, microbiology and immunology, environmental sciences and engineering at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is also the director there for the curriculum in toxicology and environmental medicine. She studies a host of toxins that affect the lungs, from air pollution to inhaling flavoring chemicals.

1- If you have a young person in your life age 10 and up, listen to the first episode from the season, #DotheVapeTalk to learn about how to have these conversations. You can also go to talkaboutvaping.org  for more resources. You can learn more about what different e-cigarettes might look like here.

2- If you are struggling to quit inhaling nicotine, whether from combustible or electronic cigarettes, check out the “Quit, Don’t Switch” campaign from the American Lung Association for other resources to help quit smoking.

3- If you really don’t want to or can’t quit, and want to try an e-cigarette for potential harm reduction, in general avoid inhaling flavored ones if possible.

4- Read the “Get the Facts” guide from the ALA. If you want more details on the specifics of e-cigarette biology, listen to the “Gambling with your lungs” episode with Dr. Jeff Gotts from Season One.

5- If you want to get involved on the policy side, listen to the “A Teen Talks Vaping” episode about tobacco retail licensing and ensure there is robust tobacco retail licensing in your community.

6- For more on the dangers of flavors and their history, especially among kids and in the black community, listen to “A Heartbreaking Trap” and “A County vs Big Tobacco.” You can learn more about the specifics of flavor dangers at airhealthourhealth.org/FlavorFree.

7- Don't forget to donate to the American Lung Association, who  is working hard to help people understand how to break free of nicotine.

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Feb 06, 202330:34
Money & Lives- the True Cost of Ozone with Dr. Nicholas Nassikas

Money & Lives- the True Cost of Ozone with Dr. Nicholas Nassikas

Ozone is a highly reactive gas and forms a significant portion of the air pollution that affects all of us. For this episode, I was joined by Dr. Nicholas Nassikas of Harvard University to discuss the links between ozone and health, as well as to review the staggering amount of money we are spending in terms of the health toll of air pollution. We are spending more on the health toll of air pollution now than the cost of transitioning off of fossil fuels to help decrease the pollution we all breathe. Listen and learn!

What can you do?

1- Download the Airnow app or go to the airnow.gov website to become familiar with the Air Quality index, which incorporates ozone and PM2.5.

2- To learn more about PM2.5 standards and history, listen to the “What’s in a Standard” episode with Dan Costa from Season Two.

3- For more on how to use the Air Quality Index, listen to the “What’s in an Index” episode with Dr. Franziska Rosser from last season.

4- Vote for elected officials committed to addressing climate change. Write to them regularly about your concern regarding topics like ozone, which causes disease and can increase in the setting of rising temperatures.

5- Advocate for policies in your communities that can reduce ozone by decreasing use of combustion for transportation, such as more bike lanes, public transit, increased walkability and more.

6- Consider a donation to the American Lung Association, who advocates tirelessly for clean air.

7- Consider buying an Air Health Our Health T-shirt, mug, hat or tote that emphasizes the health benefits of clean air. This can help spark a conversation with those in your community. Proceeds go to the American Lung Association as well.

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Jan 02, 202324:22
What’s Burning? Pollution Sources and Lung Scarring with Dr. Gillian Goobie

What’s Burning? Pollution Sources and Lung Scarring with Dr. Gillian Goobie

I was fortunate to speak with Dr. Gillian Goobie of the Center for Heart Lung Innovation at St Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver as well as the Division of Respiratory Medicine at the University of British Columbia. She is the lead author on a groundbreaking paper exploring the risk of death from exposure to air pollution as well as the source of the pollution, and how it changes the risk to those breathing it. We talk about everything from the different pollution sources in more industrially exposed areas to pollution sources in areas affected by wildfire, what to do with the knowledge of this risk, how it can affect those who are most vulnerable with lung scarring or pulmonary fibrosis, and more! She also shares her gratitude for the people who participate in this trial and so many others. They help us understand more about the world around https://airhealthourhealth.org/whats-burning-pollution-sources-and-lung-scarring-with-dr-gillian-goobie/us!

So what can you do?

1- Download the AirNow.gov app and become familiar with it.

2- To learn more about PM2.5 standards and history, listen to the “What’s in a Standard” episode with Dan Costa from Season Two.

3- For more on how to use the Air Quality Index, listen to the “What’s in an Index” episode with Dr. Franziska Rosser from last season.

4- For those in the West, particularly affected by PM2.5 and wildfire smoke, listen to the “Our Health in Wildfire Season” episode from Season Two and the “Air Inside when the smoke is outside” episode with Prof Elliot Gall from Season One.

5- Finally, consider a donation to the American Thoracic Society, whose scientific membership includes clinician-scientists like Dr. Goobie who do such important research and work hard  to highlight the importance of clean air.

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Dec 05, 202230:20
Fighting Fire with Fire- Prescribed Burns & Protecting your Home with Bodie Shaw

Fighting Fire with Fire- Prescribed Burns & Protecting your Home with Bodie Shaw

Can we fight fire with fire? The American Lung Association has released a report suggesting that this is a healthy way forward, and our Native communities have used ceremonial burns on our lands for generations. I wanted to talk to someone who lives at the intersection of all of this. 

For this episode, I was honored to be joined by Bodie Shaw. He is a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, and previously served as the national wildland fire director for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and has worked as the acting Chief of the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, ID. He is a veteran of the US Air Force, and previously taught at Oregon State University. He has lectured widely on tribal interests as they pertain to natural resource management. In 2008, Shaw was the first to participate in an international exchange program between the U.S. and Australian governments and lived Down Under with his family from August 2008 to March 2009 while developing a new trilateral wildland fire/bushfire agreement between the U.S., Australia and New Zealand. He currently serves as the Bureau of Indian Affairs deputy regional director of Trust Services for the Northwest Region.

Today, we talk about balancing the perils and the promise of prescribed burns in wildfire-prone areas.

To Do

  • Got to Firewise.org to learn how to protect your home and family.
  • Learn more about health impacts from prescribed burns from the ALA report “Can Prescribed Fires Mitigate Health Harm.”
  • Tell your representatives how important it is to ensure a professional and well-funded, year round proactive approach to decreasing the risk of catastrophic wildfire.
  • Learn more about the health of our wildland firefighters and outdoor workers by listening to “The Health of Our Heroes” episode from Season One.
  • Learn more about the impact of wildfire smoke and how to keep you and your family safe during smoke events by listening to the “Our Health in Wildfire Season” episode from Season Two.
  • Donate to the American Lung Association who works hard to help navigate challenging health concerns such as their evaluation of health effects of prescribed burns.

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Nov 07, 202228:47
Yards on Fire- Gas Powered Lawn Equipment & Health- with Dr. Krane and Dr. Axelrod

Yards on Fire- Gas Powered Lawn Equipment & Health- with Dr. Krane and Dr. Axelrod

The loud drone of gas powered lawn equipment is often part of the background noise in any community, but what do these machines cost us in terms of our health, the health of our children, and especially, the health of those who use these machines professionally? It turns out, they cost us a great deal.

Today I am joined by two doctors for children to talk about the impact of these machines in terms of their noise, emissions, and more. Dr. Elliot Krane, MD   joined the faculty of Stanford University in 1994 as the Chief of Pediatric Anesthesiology and is currently the chief of pain management.  Dr. David Axelrod, MD is a professor of medicine at Stanford University in the division of pediatric cardiology who has developed the Stanford Virtual Heart to teach about heart disease in children. 

We talk about two stroke engines, why they emit as much in a 30 minute period as a Ford F150 driving for 64 hours, and the impact on all of us, especially professional landscapers and their families. We also talk about potential equitable community solutions. Imagine, less noise and pollution and better health for all!

So what can you do?

1- If you are using gas powered lawn equipment, look into mechanical or electric alternatives, like an electric lawn mower or a good old fashioned rake. Learn more about the Ford F150 vs leafblower analysis here.

2- With climate change and increasing water scarcity as well as the need to avoid additional pollution, look into whether maintaining a grass lawn is really worth it in your area. There are often a host of alternatives that require less mowing and maintenance.

3- Consider getting together with neighbors to retire gas powered equipment and obtain your own or shared electric equipment. My personal goal is to work on reaching out to my own neighbors this fall to see if they would be interested.

4- Advocate in your own neighborhood, county, city or state to put programs in place to retire gas powered lawn equipment while ensuring those whose livelihoods depend on yard care are not penalized. For example, equipment swaps, purchasing and retiring old equipment, vouchers and grants for new equipment, etc are all options to consider.

5- Finally, consider a donation to the American Thoracic Society, who works tirelessly on research into the air we breathe, how it affects our health, and informing policy makers to make health-centered policy.

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Oct 03, 202233:43
#DoTheVapeTalk- Back2School- Talking to Kids about Vaping

#DoTheVapeTalk- Back2School- Talking to Kids about Vaping

Welcome to Season Three of the Air Health Our Health podcast! It is back to school season, and across the country, kids will be exposed to vaping and e-cigarette devices from their peers. About 1-2 kids per middle school class and around 5 kids per high school classroom will be using e-cigarettes. These devices can look like pens, USBs and more, so you want your kid to be prepared when they encounter these in the classroom or in the school yard or on the bus.

The American Lung Association has released a very helpful guide on how to talk to kids 10 and over about vaping and e-cigarettes, and I walk through it today on the podcast so you can be prepared!

So what should you be doing?

1- Do you have a kid in your life 10 and up? Go to talkaboutvaping.org and talk to other important grownups in their lives about having the Vape Talk.

2- Read the “Get the Facts” guide from the ALA. If you want more details on the specifics of e-cigarettes, listen to the “Gambling with your lungs” episode from Dr. Jeff Gotts.

3-  Read the ALA’s Vaping Conversation guide, and practice having a vape conversation with teens in your life. Share how important this is with the #DotheVapeTalk.

4- If you want to get involved on the policy side, listen to the “A Teen Talks Vaping” episode about tobacco retail licensing and ensure there is robust tobacco retail licensing in your community.

5- For more on the dangers of flavors and their history, especially among kids and in the black community, listen to “A Heartbreaking Trap” and “A County vs Big Tobacco.” You can learn more about the specifics of flavor dangers at airhealthourhealth.org/FlavorFree.

6- Raise your voice about the importance of flavor bans, secret shopper enforcement programs and more. We all pay for the long-term health impacts of e-cigarette addiction!

Go to the post for this episode airhealthourhealth.org/dothevapetalk for links and more information!

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Sep 05, 202216:27
Season Two Finale- Reflections from Camp COVID

Season Two Finale- Reflections from Camp COVID

I had a few weeks set aside in May to record and wrap up some final podcasts for the season, but COVID 19 had other plans. I instead became the head counselor at “Camp COVID” for my three rambunctious children who rapidly bounced back from their infections with no respect for the time their mother might need to finally taste her coffee again.

Enjoy the end of the season thoughts, and will see you next Fall with more Air Health Our Health!

To Do over the Summer:

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Jun 06, 202207:12
A County vs Big Tobacco- Fighting Flavors and Defending Kids

A County vs Big Tobacco- Fighting Flavors and Defending Kids

I know we have talked about how Big Tobacco fights flavoring bans at the local level, and today on the podcast, we talk about a county trying to fight back against flavored tobacco. Flavors are designed to hook new users to nicotine products. On this episode, I am joined by Carrie Nyssen of the American Lung Association, who describes the current battle for the health of kids that is on the May ballot in Washington County. Dr. Lisa Reynolds has practiced pediatrics for over 20 years in Washington County, serves in the OR legislature, and shares her perspective. Dr. Maxine Dexter is a fellow lung and ICU doctor for adults, and represents many of the people in Washington County in the Oregon House. Today we cover a specific example of a population of kids affected by flavored tobacco, the toll of flavored nicotine products, and what we can do about it. We also walk through many of the arguments opposed to these bans and why they are often misleading.

To Do:

- If you are in Washington County, OR, please vote NO on measure 34-314 on the May 2022 ballot and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same. If you live outside Washington County but know voters inside it, please reach out to make sure they vote.  Go to FlavorsHookOregonKids.org to learn more.

- Post on social media and consider writing an Op-Ed about why you support a ban on flavored nicotine products.

- Find out if there is a flavor ban being considered in your county or state, and do what you can to support it.

- Write to your members of Congress and ask them to take action against flavored nicotine at the national level.

- Learn more about flavored tobacco, the history of menthol and targeting of the black community, as well as other tactics by Big Tobacco by listening to the podcast episode “A Heartbreaking Trap” and reading accompanying materials here.

-  Learn more about health effects of e-cigarettes in the podcast episode “Gambling with Your Lungs” and reading more here. Learn more about the impact of flavors here.

- Learn more about how you or a loved one can break free of the nicotine habit here.

- Donate to the American Lung Association to help amazing people like Carrie keep advocating for the health of our communities.

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Apr 25, 202229:34
The Fire Inside- Gas Stoves, NO2 & Health with Dr. Laura Paulin

The Fire Inside- Gas Stoves, NO2 & Health with Dr. Laura Paulin

Those of you who listen to this podcast know that my main slogan is “Don’t light things on fire and breathe them into your lungs.” But what about when we cook with fire with gas stoves? Today I am joined by Dr. Laura Paulin MD, MHS of Dartmouth College who researches this very topic. She has studied the impact of indoor air quality in homes and studying home interventions aimed at decreasing indoor nitrogen dioxide concentrations. She has studied indoor particulate matter and NO2 exposures and asthma outcomes as well as their impact on others with lung disease and pregnant women.  She has published multiple articles in leading respiratory and environmental journals, and currently serves on the Environmental Health Policy Committee of the American Thoracic Society. Today we talk about gas stoves, their health impacts, and what to do if you are one of the 35% of American homes using gas stoves.

To Do- especially if a member of the Twitchy Airways Club

1- If you are looking for a new home or thinking of a change of kitchen, electric is likely a better choice than gas for the health of your family and community.

2- If you already have a gas stove, think through your options. If you have the means to replace it, consider doing so. Obviously, multiple variables go into that decision. If you can’t, make sure to ventilate as best you can. If you have a hood, run it on its highest setting, ensure it ventilates to the outdoors, and try to use the back burners. Consider using an air filter with a carbon component to absorb NO2.

3- Contact your county, state and national representatives and advocate for policies to reduce the use of gas in indoor settings or help people transition away from gas while keeping energy and cooking costs clean and affordable. This is likely a complex issue that will require multiple stakeholders, but it is important to be a voice for health.

4- Consider a donation to the American Thoracic Society, who works hard to support research into clean air and to inform policy around the importance of clean air.

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Mar 28, 202228:18
What’s in an Index? The AQI and Kids with Dr. Rosser

What’s in an Index? The AQI and Kids with Dr. Rosser

Dr Franziska J. Rosser  is a lung doctor for children at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and an asthma researcher. She has studied the impact of the Air Quality Index on hospitalization of children. Many doctors concerned about air quality struggle with how to balance advice to get outside and exercise with concern about ensuring we don’t overdose ourselves or our families on pollution, which we often cannot see or smell. If you have struggled with this, this is the episode for you! We discuss honestly what is known and what is unknown about the AQI, and how to navigate the uncertainty.

To Do: (Especially members of the Twitchy Airways Club)

1- Download the AirNow app or become familiar with AirNow.Gov.

2- Pay attention to the AQI, and when it is in the yellow or orange category and you or your child is active outside, pay attention to whether you or your child coughs more in the days following. Discuss your observations with your doctor or your child’s pediatrician.

3- Learn more about redlining and impacts by listening to the podcast with Vivek Shandas.

4- Listen about one person’s story with asthma growing up in a previously red-lined district by listening to Ashia Allen, a patient of mine.

5- If you smoke and have kids, do what you can to quit! If you need help, you can find more in the resources on this post, or by listening to the podcast episode with Brandy Carpenter.

6- Donate to the American Thoracic Society, working to fund important research about air quality and health.

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Mar 07, 202239:56
What's in a Standard? PM2.5 & Our Health with Dr. Dan Costa

What's in a Standard? PM2.5 & Our Health with Dr. Dan Costa

On this podcast, I talk to Dr. Dan Costa, who has his doctorate in toxicology and occupational health toxicology and occupational health. He has worked for the Department of Energy in the Brookhaven National Laboratory conducting research on the impact of fossil fuel related air pollutants on the lung and heart. He also served at the Environmental Protection Agency for over 34 years, conducting research on health science to inform critical policy questions. For his last 12 years at the EPA, he was the National Program Director for research on air, climate and energy issues. Today we talk about PM2.5, the history of understanding its impact on health, and the short and long-term standards. 

To Do:

1- Find out about the short and long term PM2.5 levels where you live. Review the American Lung Association's State of the Air report.

2- Make it a habit to check Airnow.gov to help determine when it is safe for you to exercise.

3- Avoid exercising by busy roads at rush hour- try to commute by bike or walk on less-trafficked paths if you can. Find parks or other “clean air islands” for play and exercise

4- Don’t contribute to PM2.5 if you can help it. Avoid burning things in your home, don’t burn decorative fires, don’t burn garbage or leaves to dispose of them. I guarantee my patients will thank you.

5- Consider a donation to the American Lung Association to support their work for healthy air for everyone.

Please Note- due to the omicron surge and heavier clinical burden, I am only releasing one podcast for the month of February. February 14th seemed appropriate, because the best gift you can give yourself and loved ones is a healthy heart by decreasing PM2.5! Please be sure to get your COVID19 vaccine and booster if you are eligible and have not already done so! 

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Feb 14, 202228:48
Radón, cáncer, tu hogar y la salud pública con Mateo Olmos

Radón, cáncer, tu hogar y la salud pública con Mateo Olmos

Enero es el Mes de Acción del Radón y hoy explico qué es el radón y como puede quedar atrapado en los edificios y aumentar a niveles insalubres. Como médico de pulmón que atiende a pacientes con cáncer de pulmón, definitivamente he visto que no preguntamos lo suficiente sobre la exposición al radón en los hogares, especialmente si alguien alquila una casa y no la posee.  ¿Cómo aumentamos la conciencia sobre el radón y reducimos los riesgos en la población?  La salud pública es muy importante.  Así que para este Mes de Acción del Radón, hablo con Mateo Olmos, un estudiante de salud pública de Oregon State University que está trabajando para llegar a comunidades que a veces están menos conscientes de las amenazas a su salud.

1- Asegúrese de que su casa se someta a pruebas de radón.  Puede encontrar pruebas que cuestan entre $ 10 y $ 30 o contratar a un profesional.  Ocasionalmente, hay kits gratuitos o de precio reducido de organizaciones como la Asociación Americana del Pulmón o la autoridad de salud local (el sitio tiene opción a traducir a español).  Quiere que su nivel sea menor que el límite de acción de la EPA de 4.0 pCi / L o mejor aún, el límite de la OMS de 2.7 Pci / L.

2- La EPA estima que alrededor de 1 de cada 5 escuelas pueden tener niveles elevados de radón.  Averigüe si su escuela ha sido examinada para detectar radón y si los niveles son superiores a 4.0 Pci / L, si se ha mitigado.

3- Mire y comparta el excelente video educativo breve de Mateo sobre la importancia de las pruebas de radón (está en inglés). Puede aprender mas sobre radón con el sitio de EPA en español.

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Jan 24, 202211:57
Raising Radon Awareness with Public Health Education- featuring Dr. Karen Elliot & Mateo Olmos

Raising Radon Awareness with Public Health Education- featuring Dr. Karen Elliot & Mateo Olmos

January is Radon Action Month. By the time someone meets me in the clinic with a lung cancer, it is too late for the intervention that should have taken place years before. How do we increase awareness about radon and reduce the risks in the population? This is exactly where the field of public health is so important, so for this Radon Action Month, I wanted to highlight two individuals in the public health pipeline- a teacher and student of public health. I am joined by Dr. Karen Elliott of Oregon State University as well as Mateo Olmos, one of her students.

To Do:

- Ensure your home is tested for radon– test every 2 years if you have not mitigated radon and after home upgrades. More information here

- Watch and share Mateo’s video educating about the importance of radon testing and action.

- The EPA estimates around 1 in 5 schools may have elevated radon levels in at least one  frequently-occupied room. Find out if your child’s school has been tested for radon and whether it has been mitigated, particularly if close to or over the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L

- If you are a health professional, learn more about patient outreach with this guide to radon.

- For more on the science of radon and how we know it causes cancer, listen to last year’s January podcast with Professor Bill Fields.

- To hear a personal story about someone affected by radon, listen to the podcast with the home inspector Will Graff on Season 1 episode 22.

- Learn more about the Northwest Radon Coalition here, and consider a donation to the American Lung Association here.

References

EPA Resources on Radon

American Lung Association Radon Resources

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Jan 10, 202220:47
A Connected COVID Christmas

A Connected COVID Christmas

In this episode, I share my thoughts about COVID while we are in the season of Advent, a time to look for hope in the darkness. I also provide some resources on what to consider for your holiday gatherings.

Happy Holidays! Will be back in 2022!

To Do:

1- Encourage loved ones to be vaccinated. For more on the science behind vaccines, listen to Episode 3 with Dr. Gigi Gronvall. For more on how to have those conversations, listen to Episode 4 with Destiny Aman and a behavioral science perspective.

2- Think about the 4D’s of safe shared air- Density, Distance, Duration and Dilution. For more information, listen to Episode 8 of this season with Ken Martinez.

3- Consider a rapid home test for COVID on the same day of planned gatherings with family. They are helpful at catching folks most likely to be spreading virus.

4- Please donate to the American Lung Association. They do great work on clean air, education, and COVID19 safety.

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Dec 20, 202106:52
Clearing the Air about Ionizers, Hydrogen Peroxide & More- the 4 D's of Safer Air with Ken Martinez

Clearing the Air about Ionizers, Hydrogen Peroxide & More- the 4 D's of Safer Air with Ken Martinez

Today, I am delighted to be joined by Ken Martinez, who is a certified Industrial Hygienist and Environmental Engineer with a long and illustrious career in biosecurity and research. His career has spanned over 33 year with the CDC, responding to crises such as the first SARS1 outbreak in Toronto, responding to the World Trade Center collapse, working on anthrax, multi-drug resistant TB and more. He shares what we have learned from responding to previous biological threats and pandemics, and how we can apply them now.

We talk today about the “4 Ds” of keeping air safe- Density, Distance, Duration, and Dilution. In addition to vaccination, we talk about what is known and what is unproven in terms of indoor air cleaning technology.

In particular, we talk about technology such as chemical foggers, ionizers, and hydroxyl radical generators, which have been heavily marketed to schools and homes across the country. I have received pitches for these myself, and understanding what is actually proven vs unproven technology is helpful.

To Do-

1- Remember the “Four Ds”- Density, Duration, Distance, and Dilution in your upcoming holiday gatherings. Encourage anyone who is not vaccinated who is eligible to be vaccinated. Listen to earlier podcast episodes this season on how to have those conversations.

2-  Commit to Care to reduce COVID spread by checking out the post on the website for information on how to optimize both HVAC and portable air filters for indoor safety.

3- Do you already have a portable air cleaner? If so, check to see whether it is a filter that is removing particles from the air, like a certified HEPA filter, vs something that is adding something to the air, such as ionizing technology or hydroxyl radical generation. Until we know more, focus on removing particles from the air and ventilating well rather than introducing new things into your air. Learn more about selecting and sizing an air filter for your space- this post is geared for wildfire concerns, but has information about air filters in references.

4- Find out what air “cleaners” are being used in your school, church and home. If they are using ionizing technology and hydroxyl radical generators, ask whether the device has been studied in occupied spaces. You can also reach out to me, and I can try to put you in touch with scientists who are interested in studying the effectiveness of this technology in the real world.

5- Learn more about school and home air safety with COVID19 by listening to the episode “The Air Kids Share” with Dr. Olsiewski of Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

6- Consider a donation to IBEC to help them in their work to make the air in our schools, churches and workplaces safer.

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Dec 06, 202146:07
A Heartbreaking Trap - Menthol, Flavors and our Kids with Ritney Castine

A Heartbreaking Trap - Menthol, Flavors and our Kids with Ritney Castine

Ritney Castine joins me today to talk kids, tobacco, and flavors, and also about the time he had to lobby a smoking Senator and future President! He is the former Managing Director of Community and Youth Engagement at Truth Initiative, a Washington, DC-based public health organization and also the former Director of Youth Advocacy at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. He currently works with Center for Black Health and Equity, and is a fellow podcaster as a cohost of the Black Body Health podcast. He is the youth pastor at Trinity Church in Gonzales, LA, and we dive into what we can do as parents, communities, and churches to help break free of tobacco.

To Do:

1- Advocate for flavor bans and menthol bans in your community. Often these can be done at the county level. I have advocated for this in my own county, and a neighboring county recently passed a flavor ban. Remember, Big Tobacco may show up in insidious ways to fight back, but don’t be intimidated.

2- Contact your members of Congress to continue to pressure the FDA to move forward with regulating mentholated tobacco and vape products. Learn more at Centerforblackhealth.org for more on the importance of a menthol ban and important history, or check out the Black Body Health podcast- episodes 4, 10 and 17 to learn more.

3- Talk to your kids about how flavored tobacco and vape products are designed to hook them. Learn more about how to have these conversations at Flavorshookkids.org. Maybe your kid would like to be a youth ambassador against tobacco in their peers.

4- Consider a donation to Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids or the Center for Black Health and Equity, who have been working to help keep kids and communities free of addiction.

5- If you are part of a faith community, consider engaging in a No Menthol Sunday next May to educate about tobacco’s toll on the sanctity of life and how Big Tobacco preys on many of the most vulnerable.

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Nov 22, 202138:16
Asthma, obesity, and air pollution with Dr. Holguin

Asthma, obesity, and air pollution with Dr. Holguin

Today I am joined by Dr. Fernando Holguin, the Director of the Clinical and Research Asthma Program and the Executive Director of the Colorado School of Public Health’s Latino Research and Policy Center. We discuss the interaction of asthma, obesity and air pollution today, with a particular focus on how it impacts Latino communities in the United States. Patients with asthma who are obese often struggle to get a diagnosis since their trouble breathing is attributed to their weight. Once people are obese, asthma in some can be more challenging to control, and their body may also be more affected by air pollution. Obesity is extremely complex with many inputs, and there is much more we need to learn. Dr. Holguin is working hard on this research, and shares what he has learned with us today.

We also discuss what can be done at the individual and community level to improve our health, with a focus on taking manageable steps. 

To Do

1- Decrease processed foods in the diet, add more vegetables, fruit and whole grains to the diet. 

2- Work for clean air in your home and community.

3-  If you or someone in your family is coughing regularly or has shortness of breath, talk to your doctor about it. A diagnosis is very important!

4- Learn more about asthma risk factors and triggers- see the Twitchy Airways Club section of the website.

5- As always, stop smoking! Click here if you need help to quit.

6- Calculate your BMI here, if it is over 25, you may be overweight. If it is over 30, you may have obesity and be at risk for a more severe impact from air pollution. Talk to your doctor about what steps may be most important for your health.

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Nov 08, 202117:26
Asma, obesidad, y contaminación del aire en las comunidades latinas con Dr Holguin

Asma, obesidad, y contaminación del aire en las comunidades latinas con Dr Holguin

Hoy me acompaña el Dr. Fernando Holguin.  Discutimos la interacción del asma, la obesidad y la contaminación del aire en la actualidad, con un enfoque particular en cómo impacta a las comunidades latinas en los Estados Unidos.  ¡También discutimos lo que se puede hacer a nivel individual y comunitario para mejorar nuestra salud!

Que hacer

1- Disminuir los alimentos procesados en la dieta, agregar más verduras, frutas y granos integrales a la dieta.

2- Si usted o alguien de su familia tose regularmente o tiene dificultad para respirar, hable con su médico al respecto.  ¡Un diagnóstico es muy importante!

3- Aprenda más sobre los factores de riesgo y desencadenantes del asma, escuche el Episodio 28 con el Profesor Celedon para obtener más información, ¡especialmente para los padres!

4- ¡Como siempre, deja de fumar!  Haga clic aquí si necesita ayuda para dejar de fumar.

5- Calcula aquí tu IMC, si es superior a 25, es posible que tengas sobrepeso.  Si tiene más de 30, es posible que tenga obesidad y esté en riesgo de sufrir un impacto más severo por la contaminación del aire.  Hable con su médico sobre los pasos que pueden ser más importantes para su salud.

6- Vacúnese contra COVID19 cuando pueda para ayudar a retrasar la propagación y evitar variantes peligrosas y seguir las precauciones de salud.  ¡Disminuir el aislamiento también ayudará con la salud mental!

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Oct 25, 202124:27
Crossing the COVID Vax Divide: how to have more effective vaccination conversations using behavioral science 

Crossing the COVID Vax Divide: how to have more effective vaccination conversations using behavioral science 

You may remember Destiny Aman from the recent episode on the science of vaccines. She’s back to talk about having these conversations from the behavioral science side of things. Destiny Aman runs JPoint Collaborative and has a background in behavioral science working as a risk communication expert and has over 20 years of helping translate science into practical solutions adapting to environmental risks, including in work that has supported FEMA and the CDC. She’s here today to share more about how people think about risk, mistrust of science, and how to reach out about vaccines while maintaining relationships with people we love.

4 Steps Toward More Effective Vaccination Conversations
  1. Reflect on and invest in the relationship.
  2. Identify common ground, and (importantly) validate that shared common ground.
  3. Address barriers, using your own personal story.
  4. Make a gracious and respectful exit.

To Do:

1- Get your COVID 19 vaccine if you haven’t done so yet. Learn more about the COVID19 vaccines at the American Lung Association, and find where you can get your vaccine here.

2- Reach out to your loved ones about the importance of vaccination- feel free to share the last podcast regarding vaccine science or share what you’ve learned as an equal, especially in how to communicate more effectively.

3- Make a plan for the holidays and be sure you are giving friends and loved ones over a month’s awareness of where your COVID safety lines will be for the holidays and what accommodations for unvaccinated family and friends you may be able to make.

4- Consider a donation to the American Lung Association here, who is trying to help share accurate information about COVID19 vaccination and fund research and advocacy.

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Oct 11, 202146:14
COVID19 Vaccines- Questions & Communication with Dr. Gigi Gronvall and Destiny Aman

COVID19 Vaccines- Questions & Communication with Dr. Gigi Gronvall and Destiny Aman

Today I am releasing the first of two podcasts about COVID19 vaccination on the day before World Lung Day 2021.  I talk to two experts in their fields, Dr. Gigi Gronvall PhD and Destiny Aman. Dr. Gronvall studies the immune system and is a Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and on the editorial board of the journal Health Security.  She is a biosecurity and bioterrorism expert and has served as a member of the Threat Reduction Advisory Committee providing the Secretary of Defense with independent advice and recommendations on reducing risk to the United States, its military forces and allies.

Destiny Aman is a behavioral science and risk communications expert running JPoint Collaborative with over 20 years of experience translating science into practical solutions to improve resilience at individual, community, and national levels. Her research has centered on developing and promoting creative adaptations to environmental risks, including natural hazards like wildfires and flooding, and now the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. She provides essential help with how best to understand the concerns people have around vaccines and how to best communicate. I found this conversation so helpful, and hope you do too!

To Do:

1- Get your COVID 19 vaccine if you haven’t done so yet. Learn more about the COVID19 vaccines at the American Lung Association, and find where you can get your vaccine here.

2- Reach out to your loved ones about the importance of vaccination- feel free to share this podcast or share what you’ve learned, especially in how to communicate more effectively.

3- Learn more about why there may be very legitimate hesitancy about the medical community, vaccines and scientific research by learning about the history of the Tuskegee experiment, Henrietta Lacks, and more. Medical Apartheid is a vital read for all in healthcare.

4- Consider a donation to the American Lung Association here, who is trying to help share accurate information about COVID19 vaccination and fund research and advocacy.

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Sep 24, 202101:00:48
Our Health in Wildfire Season

Our Health in Wildfire Season

Today, I’m providing a summary of the health effects of wildfire smoke. I recorded a webinar in June 2021 on the health effects of wildfire smoke that is available in English and Spanish. I’m providing an expanded podcast version of that summary here today. Topics covered include: What we know and don’t know, vulnerable/sensitive groups, short and long term effects of wildfire smoke and individual characteristics that affect this risk, respirator use, what to do before, during, and after smoke events.

In this episode, I reference the ATS standard of 11ug/m3 for PM2.5 exposure. ATS has submitted testimony to the EPA asking the EPA to consider a standard of 8ug/m3 because of adverse health effects even below the 11ug/m3 standard.

More information:

  • For more on the cardiac death study, listen to the Season 1 Episode 11 Apocalypse Now
  • For information on clean indoor air, listen to S1 E13 with Prof Elliot Gall. You can also see his post here on how to make a clean air room.
  • For more information on the long-term effects of wildfire smoke, listen to S1 E18 with Prof Chris Migliaccio
  • For more information about outdoor work, listen to S1 E 14 with Prof Alya Khan.
  • Each of those episodes also have links to references and things you can do.

To Do:

1- Identify whether you or a loved one are in a sensitive group for particulate matter.

2- Make a plan before wildfire season about the health of you and your family members. If you are going to get a respirator, make sure it is NIOSH certified here or here.

3- Make sure you have a plan for clean air in case of smoke events

4- Donate to Neighbors for Clean Air, or Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, who hosted the webinar Our Health in Wildfire Season

5- Donate to PCUN- working to keep outdoor workers safe

6- Get your COVID19 vaccine if you have not done so, and your booster if you are a member of a recommended group. We are all in this together. Find out more from the American Lung Association here.

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Sep 20, 202127:12
The Air Kids Share- Schools, Filters, & COVID19 with Dr. Olsiewski

The Air Kids Share- Schools, Filters, & COVID19 with Dr. Olsiewski

Back to school with Season Two of Air Health Our Health! I am joined by Dr Paula Olsiewski of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, where she is a pioneering leader in policy and scientific research programs in the microbiology and chemistry of indoor environments. She spent two decades at the Alfred P Sloane foundation leading innovative and multidisciplinary programs partnering with academic, governmental and for-profit stakeholders understanding the chemistry of indoor environments and the microbiology of the built environment. She is recognized as a leading expert in biosecurity and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She is chair of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Homeland Security Research Subcommittee and is a member of the EPA Board of Scientific Counselors Executive Committee, in addition to serving as a member of the NTI|bio Working Group for Biosecurity Innovation and Risk Reduction Initiative and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in chemistry.

She is also the grandmother of 4 young children, and she joins me today to talk details and specifics about how to reduce COVID 19 risk in the classroom. There are actually simple, concrete steps we can all take right now, even in districts with old buildings with poor ventilation. More importantly, the CARES Act has provided funding to ensure that no school is left behind. 

To Do:

1- Reach out to your school- Find out about the number of air changes per hour in the room. Ideally it should be 6 or more. Review the full Johns Hopkins report here.

2- Find out if your school has an HVAC system with MERV13 air filters or higher. If not, ask or demand that your school work on obtaining them or put in HEPA filters and make a plan for proper filter maintenance throughout the year.

3- Review filters on CARB here to ensure they are safe. You want mechanical filters to remove particles. Learn more about air filters and HVAC here, and how to size and place portable filters. 

4- Be a parental voice for school safety- advocate masking, vaccination, distancing, and testing. Also, remember that investing in clean indoor air in schools and robust air filtration will pay off in wildfire season, for air pollution, and more! Kids learn better in clean air. 

5- Get your COVID19 vaccine if you have not done so. Lovingly encourage those around you to do the same. This is the most important step.

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Sep 01, 202145:46
Season One Finale- A look back and planning ahead

Season One Finale- A look back and planning ahead

What a year! Thanks to all of you who have been listening to the Air Health Our Health podcast. In this episode, I share my thoughts on what it has been like to live and work as an ICU and lung doctor this year during COVID19, worry about three young children, and ask your input on thinking ahead to Season Two!

To Do

1- Catch up on episodes you missed and please like the podcast, leave a review and share with family and friends to spread the word about the importance of clean air. Consider buying a T-shirt to spread the word "Don't Light Things on Fire..." Proceeds go to American Lung Association.

2- Enjoy your summer, and take a moment of mindfulness and gratitude whenever you are breathing healthy air. We too often take it for granted.

3- If you or someone you love in your life smokes, make this summer the summer you quit or help them break free of Big Tobacco.

4- Send me a message through the site, record your thoughts or a question on the Anchor app, or follow on Instagram or Facebook.

5- Come back for Season Two in the Fall! It will be in this feed, so stay subscribed!

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May 17, 202109:13
Ashia, Albina and Asthma- an individual story and a neighborhood history

Ashia, Albina and Asthma- an individual story and a neighborhood history

Today I am joined by Ashia Allen, whom I first met when she was critically-ill at Emanuel Hospital with severe asthma. She shares her story growing up in Albina near freeways and construction and what it was like to live with asthma. Ben Duncan joins me as well to discuss the history of working on air pollution concerns in Albina, a formerly red-lined district and the historic heart of the black community. Their stories are powerful reminders of why working to clean up air pollution is so important, and why the cost of inaction is high.

Things you can do- 

- Listen to other podcast episodes to learn more about the impact of air pollution and redlining on health, and share with your friends and family.

- Find out what you can do in your community to decrease air pollution. Reach out to your local county commissioner, city council, and state and national legislators to tell them that cleaning up the air not only saves lives it saves money. For more on that, learn about the ROI on the Clean Air Act here.

- Consider a donation to organizations like Neighbors for Clean Air or OPAL Environmental Justice or a group in your community working to clean up the air. Consider it an investment with high returns in terms of lower future healthcare expenditures and higher productivity!

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May 03, 202145:47
Las cucarachas y las carreteras- riesgos del asma en las comunidades latinas con Dr. Juan Celedón

Las cucarachas y las carreteras- riesgos del asma en las comunidades latinas con Dr. Juan Celedón

Hoy hablo con el Dr. Juan Celedón, profesor de pediatría, medicina, epidemiología y genética humana y Jefe de División de Medicina Pulmonar Pediátrica en Universidad de Pittsburgh y el primer presidente latino de la American Thoracic Society, sobre el asma en la comunidad hispana de EE. UU. Exploramos cómo el aire que respiramos puede afectar nuestro riesgo y el riesgo de nuestros hijos. Escuche para aprender sobre la importancia del aire saludable en el exterior y cómo la exposición al aire en interiores puede afectar a las personas con asma y aumentar el riesgo de asma y más.  También hablamos sobre el impacto de la inmigración, la violencia y la dieta sobre el asma en los niños latinos.

Busque podcasts con títulos en español y el logotipo de “Nuestro Aire Nuestra Salud” para ver más episodios en español.

Que hacer

1- No fume y deje de fumar si ya ha comenzado; si no es por usted, ¡hágalo por sus hijos! Aprende más aquí. No permita que sus hijos empiecen a fumar cigarrillos electrónicos o vapear.

2- Verifique si hay infestaciones de cucarachas o moho en su hogar y elimínelas. Asegúrese de que no haya cucarachas. Revisa esta lista. (Segundo Dr. Celadón, una mascota puede ser útil si los padres no son alérgicos).

3- Evite vivir cerca una autopista muy transitada o en áreas de alta contaminación del aire si puede.

4- Trabaje por leyes que disminuyan la contaminación del aire y aumenten las áreas en su vecindario con aire limpio para que los niños jueguen al aire libre.

5- La salud mental y el control del estrés es muy importante en general y para el asma en particular.  Trabajar para reducir la exposición de los niños a la violencia.  Considere unirse a organizaciones como Everytown for Gun Safety (sitio web en inglés)

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Apr 19, 202138:21
Tree-lined vs Redlined- Trees, Air Pollution & Asthma with Dr. Vivek Shandas

Tree-lined vs Redlined- Trees, Air Pollution & Asthma with Dr. Vivek Shandas

Dr. Vivek Shandas is a Professor of Climate Adaptation and Founder and Director of the Sustaining Urban Places Research Lab at Portland State University and serves as Chair of the City of Portland’s Urban Forestry Commission in addition to other local and national advisory boards. He joins me on the podcast today to discuss his research on everything from trees in human communities, nitrogen dioxide exposure, economic benefit of green spaces and environmental services, as well as the impact of redlining in real estate and development and its impact on health now.

Which trees are best at reducing air pollution? How much can they help? How much money and health can we save by planting more trees? How has redlining impacted the trees in our communities, and what can we do to make things better? Listen and learn! 

To Do

1- Plant a tree! In the Pacific Northwest, consider volunteering or donating to Friends of Trees!

2- Plant a tree when you search! Use Ecosia when you search on-line!

3- Air quality is local- advocate for cleaner construction standards. Donate to Neighbors for Clean Air.

4- Learn about the history of red-lining and how it impacts health now- see the Mapping Inequality project for more. Good books include the Color of Law and A Terrible Thing to Waste.

5- Listen to podcast episode “Tubman’s Air Troubles” to learn more from an atmospheric chemist about air pollution.

Twitchy Airways Club Members

1- Commute on lower pollution routes if you can, avoid busy roads, peak traffic times, etc

2- Advocate for cleaner air for you and your community!

3- Look for green spaces, and encourage more trees in your community. Check out Imperial College London Air App- helps a Londoner find the safest commute for air pollution. Let me know if your city has one, too!

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Apr 05, 202145:50
Agentes de limpieza, bronquitis crónica y salud latina con Dr. Díaz

Agentes de limpieza, bronquitis crónica y salud latina con Dr. Díaz

Bienvenido/a al primer podcast de "Air Health Our Health" en español. 

El Dr. Alejandro Díaz es profesor asistente de medicina en la Escuela de Medicina de Harvard, donde enseña español médico, y médico científico que estudia imágenes pulmonares en el Brigham and Women’s Hospital.  También estudia la salud respiratoria de la comunidad hispana / latina y le apasiona comprender mejor los desafíos de salud que enfrentan sus miembros. 

Que puede hacer Usted?

- Ten cuidado al usar agentes limpiadores.  Asegúrese de que la habitación esté bien ventilada y tal vez use su agente de limpieza como último elemento antes de salir de la habitación.  

- Preste atención si los agentes son particularmente irritantes para usted y evítelos.  

- Si habla inglés y cree que tiene asma o bronquitis crónica, obtenga más información en la parte del sitio web llamada "Twitch Airways Club" o sobre el asma aqui en español.

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Mar 22, 202132:12
Smoking and your Wallet - Retirement vs Tobacco

Smoking and your Wallet - Retirement vs Tobacco

In a first on the podcast, we are joined by an analyst from Wallet Hub, a financial literacy website. Jill Gonzalez normally appears on venues such as Fox Business Network, the Wall Street Journal Live, C-Span, and Fortune. Today she joins me to talk about WalletHub's analysis - The True Cost of Smoking. Listen and learn to find out how much smoking costs the individual over a lifetime, and all the different ways it can impact one's finances. 

To Do:

1- Find out what grade your state gets for tobacco control with this tool from the American Lung Association.

2- Calculate the lifetime cost of smoking in your state using the Wallet Hub tool and share that information with anyone who needs to know.

3- If you or someone you love needs to quit smoking, check out Smokefree.gov or the ALA for more information.

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Mar 08, 202112:52
Cleaning Agents, Chronic Bronchitis, and Latino Lung Health with Alejandro Diaz

Cleaning Agents, Chronic Bronchitis, and Latino Lung Health with Alejandro Diaz

Dr. Alejandro Diaz of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital joins me today to talk about chronic bronchitis and challenges facing the US Hispanic Community, as well as the health effects of cleaning agent exposure.

To Do:

1- Support more research on health in Hispanic community- one such study is going on in COVID19 in Yakima WA now, funded by the ALA. There is still time to donate to our ALA fundraiser here (before Mar 14, 2021) or here (after March 14, 2021).

2- Donate to the Immigrant Worker Safety Net Fund- help those who generally can’t afford a sick day stay home to care for themselves or relatives

3- Twitch Airways Club Members- be careful when using cleaning agents. Ensure the room is well-ventilated, and perhaps use your cleaning agent as the last item prior to leaving the room. Pay attention if agents any are particularly irritating to you, and avoid them.

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Feb 22, 202128:26
A Teen Talks Vaping- A County-Level Look with Gabriella Shirtcliff and Karen Ard

A Teen Talks Vaping- A County-Level Look with Gabriella Shirtcliff and Karen Ard

Today on the podcast, I am joined by Gabriella Shirtcliff, who is a junior in high school and shares her experience about e-cigarettes and vaping among her peers. Karen Ard works in public health in the Deschutes County and works with Gabriella to address teen tobacco use. This episode is vital for all of us, but especially parents and educators concerned about Big Tobacco’s grip on a new generation. It also, as a bonus, gives me hope if there are as many great teens as Gabriella out there fighting for their futures.

Action Items:

1- Talk to your kids or youth in your life about vaping and e-cigarettes-  You can find resources from the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids here. If you or your kids use social media, share about your concerns.

2- Find out whether your state or town has Tobacco Retail Licensing. If it doesn’t, push for it at the local and state level. Use ALA’s State of Tobacco Control Report.

3- Find out whether your state, county or town has a flavor ban, and make sure it includes menthol. If it doesn’t, write your elected representatives at all levels to share why it is important. Push for the national flavor ban to include all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping.

4- Donate to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.

5- Join the Air Health Our Health Fight for Air Climb! Climb on your own terms, your own way, and raise money for the ALA! Or just donate to support our efforts if you don’t want to climb! Due date is 2/14/2021, so okay to just go to regular AHOH ALA fundraiser if you’re listening after that date. Maybe you can join next year’s team!

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Feb 08, 202122:20
Home Inspector on Radon- with Will Graff

Home Inspector on Radon- with Will Graff

Today I am joined by Will Graff. Will is a home inspector who is passionate about healthy, energy efficient, and sustainable homes. He is also a strong advocate for radon-testing, which is what he is here to talk about today. Radon is personal for him, and has affected his family in a devastating way. Today, he shares his radon story, and why he urges testing. See more about Will’s story here. This podcast is originally posted in January during National Radon Action Month. Make sure you take action!

Things You Can Do

  1. Ensure your home is tested for radon- test every 2 years if you have not mitigated radon and after home upgrades. More information here
    -If you need help with mitigation costs, call 1-800-SOS-RADON or go here
  2. Find out what your local radon laws are- consider advocating for protective standards
  3. The EPA estimates around 1 in 5 schools may have elevated radon levels in at least one  frequently-occupied room. Find out if your child’s school has been tested for radon and whether it has been mitigated, particularly if close to or over the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L
  4. Join the Air Health Our Health Fight for Air Climb! Climb on your own terms, your own way, and raise money for the ALA! Or just donate to support our efforts if you don’t want to climb.

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Jan 25, 202123:21
Radon Science with Prof Bill Field

Radon Science with Prof Bill Field

What do we know and how do we know it? To answer questions such as “What causes cancer?” we need the science of epidemiology. There is a lot of pseudoscience out there as well as well-meaning but poorly-designed studies that throw confusion on an issue. To get to the bottom of radon science, I talk today to Professor Bill Field, who is an epidemiologist and radon expert. We talk about the history of radon discoveries, how good studies are designed, as well as his own history with radiation exposure. 

Things You Can Do

  1. Ensure your home is tested for radon- test every 2 years if you have not mitigated radon and after home upgrades. More information here
  2. Find out what your local radon laws are- consider advocating for protective standards
  3. The EPA estimates around 1 in 5 schools may have elevated radon levels in at least one  frequently-occupied room. Find out if your child’s school has been tested for radon and whether it has been mitigated, particularly if close to or over the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L
  4. Join the Air Health Our Health Fight for Air Climb! Climb on your own terms, your own way, and raise money for the ALA! Or just donate to support our efforts if you don’t want to climb.
  5. If you are a health professional, learn more about patient outreach with this guide to radon.

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Jan 11, 202128:29
A Cozy COVID Christmas- Joy and Safety in the Holidays
Dec 14, 202008:27
The Two Pandemics- COVID19 & Air Pollution with Dr. Thomas Muenzel

The Two Pandemics- COVID19 & Air Pollution with Dr. Thomas Muenzel

I am a lung doctor who cares for patients in the clinic and ICU when they are sickened from diseases caused or worsened by air pollution. However, air pollution is actually even more damaging to the heart and blood vessels of the body, as my podcast guest Dr. Thomas Muenzel today knows too well. He is a heart doctor who can help intervene to open up arteries on patients who are suffering from blockages that cause heart attacks and other damage. For both of us, having a patient come to need our intervention already indicates that person is very sick, and we would both like to prevent them getting that ill in the first place. Dr. Muenzel has studied how air pollution actually damages the blood vessels in our body and around our heart.  COVID19 has been consuming communities around the world, and is currently raging out of control in the United States at the time of this post. Dr. Muenzel and his group have worked to define how many of the deaths from COVID19 may be related to its interaction with air pollution. On the podcast today, we talk about the impact of air pollution on the heart and blood vessels as well as its interaction with COVID19.

What to Do:

1- Follow public health guidance on decreasing COVID19 pandemic so we can get through this sooner.

2- Pay attention to the absolute PM2.5 level where you live and AQI to help determine when it is safe to exercise.

3- Do your part to decrease air pollution in your own life and encourage your community and country to do the same.

4- Consider a donation to the American Lung Association or spreading the word about the importance of healthy air by wearing an Air Health Our Health T-shirt or using a mug or tote (proceeds also go to supporting healthy air).

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Nov 30, 202030:42
What Lingers when Smoke Clears- Longterm effects of wildfire smoke with Prof Migliaccio

What Lingers when Smoke Clears- Longterm effects of wildfire smoke with Prof Migliaccio

I am joined today by Professor Christopher Migliaccio, who is a researcher and professor at the University of Montana Center for Environmental Health Sciences. He studies the way the immune system of the lung interacts with environmental exposures. He has studied the impact of wildfire smoke on our health and published a study that is useful to understanding the potential impact of short term, high levels of exposure. We discuss the impact of the heavy smoke that affected Seeley Lakes, Montana in 2017 and what the long-term effect on that community was. We discuss influenza rates in the year following as well as impact on lung function. 

What can you do?

1- Make sure you have a plan for indoor air quality- remember fire and smoke season will come again; make sure you have a place in your home at least where you can breathe healthy air. See earlier post on indoor air quality prior and listen to the episode with Professor Gall for more information.

2- Get your flu shot- this is always a good idea, but increased flu burden was seen in the year following the severe smoke exposure in Seeley Lake.

3- Donate to your local food bank!

4- Donate to those working for healthier air and helping those with lung disease. Consider a donation to the Air Health Our Health fundraiser for the ALA- link here!

5- Spread the word about health air by being a billboard! Check out the Air Health Our Health shop for options.

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Nov 16, 202034:19
Pregnancy, Planes & Pollution with Dr. Beate Ritz

Pregnancy, Planes & Pollution with Dr. Beate Ritz

Dr. Beate Ritz, MD, PhD became interested in air pollution and its effects on pregnancy when she was pregnant herself. She has a wide-ranging career, but over the last several decades has helped us understand more about the impacts of every day transportation-related air pollution on pregnant women and their children. Listen and learn! As always, for links to the studies, please be sure to visit the website. Professor Ritz also contributed to this video for a summary of pollution effects on newborns.

What can you do?

1- Be considerate about flying. Save money and air quality! Can you schedule that business meeting over video conferencing? Can you take a local vacation? Save up your flights for the truly important trips, like those to visit family or particularly extraordinary or important experiences.

2- Ask your community and local airport to be thoughtful about the total burden of air pollution being brought in. Consider actions like zero or low emissions airport shuttles and transportation, increased public transportation service to the airport, etc, to offset the burden of jet fuel in the area while we hope for future, cleaner air travel.

3- Donate to those working for healthier air and to keep a public health lens on the transportation sector. Consider a donation to the Air Health Our Health fundraiser for the ALA- link here!

4- Spread the word about health air by being a billboard! Check out the Air Health Our Health shop for options.

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Nov 02, 202031:06
Road to Clean Air- Health Benefits of Electric Vehicles with Will Barret

Road to Clean Air- Health Benefits of Electric Vehicles with Will Barret

What would happen in terms of our health and wealth if we started only purcashing electric vehicles by the year 2030? Today on the podcast I talk to Will Barrett of the American Lung Association about the new analysis the ALA has commissioned called the Road to Clean Air. We recorded this with sky high levels of PM2.5 outside due to wildfires worsened by climate change, and it was an analysis that gave me some hope on the dual benefits of addressing climate change and decreasing particulate matter. Furthermore, Will is hopeful that we can actually achieve these goals. Listen to the podcast today for a dose of hope, then take action for healthy air in your own life.

What Can You Do?

1- Speak up about the health of clean air- you can sign the ALA’s petition to your local Governor to focus on healthy air here. Write a letter to the editor of your local paper. Post about the importance of clean air with the #Standupforcleanair.

2- Ask your representatives at all levels of government, including your state legislature to incentivize electric vehicles. Ask your state, town or county to only purchase electric vehicles- frequently a municipality has bulk purchasing power and can invest in infrastructure that makes electrification more possible for individuals and businesses.

3- Donate to the ALA here- show support from the Air Health Our Health community!

4- Are you considering purchasing a new car soon? Choose electric! Or a plug-in hybrid with a decent range if you’re not ready to go full electric. Consumer Reports estimates a typical EV owner can save $800-$1000 on fuel costs especially if they charge at home, and lifetime savings of $4,600 on vehicle maintenance, oil changes, etc.

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Oct 19, 202031:44