You are what you breathe, you know, so let’s talk about the link between air pollution and hospitalizations.
On a recent episode of Causes or Cures, I chatted with Dr. Mary Abed Al Ahad about how long-term exposure to air pollution is quietly driving people to the hospital. Drawing from her recent study, Dr. Abed Al Ahad breaks down which specific pollutants were linked to higher hospitalization rates and how those effects vary—some pollutants hit the lungs harder, others may affect the immune system or even mental health.
We also explore the science behind why certain pollutants cause different kinds of harm, and wrap up with ideas for how we can clean up the air and protect our health.
If you’ve ever wondered what’s really in the air you breathe—and what it’s doing to your body—this episode is worth a listen! No one can go around claiming he or she is “toxin free” as long as you are breathing air–and this episode will drive that point home.
Who is Dr. Abed Al Ahad?
She is a researcher and associate lecturer in Population and Health Geography at the School of Geography & Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews in Scotland. You can learn more about her research here.
Please tune into the podcast episode HERE!
You can watch a short Youtube clip from the episode, where I ask her what the “scariest” thing in the air is? :) :
And if you haven’t yet, please consider checking out these other recent podcast episodes:
What’s causing the rising rates of autism? With Dr. David Amaral and Kathy Stein: Click Here to learn more.
What’s driving the rising rates of colon cancer in young people, with Dr. Timothy Yeatman: Click Here to learn more about that episode.
As always, thank you to everyone who tunes in to the episode, left a rating, left a review or hit the support the show link. I really appreciate all of the support. And thank you to those who send me emails about episodes you particularly like. I love reading them, and if you’ve done that, you know I always write back! :)
Take care out there-
Eeks