USA
Joined May 2021
PLASTIC-smelling toxic smoke is shrouding the Great Lakes, Upper Midwest and Northeast. Have you noticed it doesn't smell like smoke? That's because of chemical reactions catalyzed by sunlight. When you smell campfire smoke, you’re getting the smoke immediately after it’s been produced. This is “aged” smoke that’s festered for a few days. It contains longer-lived volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that remain even after larger biomass molecules settle out. Instead, benzenes, formaldehydes and acroleins stick around, known for industrial or chemical smells. Formaldehyde in particular has a plastic scent. As of Friday morning, Chicago, Detroit, Washington D.C. and New York City were the most polluted major cities in the world – exceeding Delhi and Kolkata, India, Jakarta, Indonesia and most major cities in China. The smoke isn’t just annoying – it’s legitimately dangerous. It’s made up of microscopic particulates known as PM2.5, or itty-bitty particles less than 2.5 micrometers in width. That’s about 30 times thinner than a human hair. Breathing them in is bad – it increases risk of heart attack, respiratory issues, etc. You may also notice your eyes stinging.
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#CleanAirCrew retweeted
Smoke from wildfires in Canada has caused air quality to reach unhealthy levels in NYC. All New Yorkers should limit strenuous and prolonged outdoor activities. Follow these tips to stay safe.
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#CleanAirCrew retweeted
A SMOKE OUTBREAK is coming through tonight (Wednesday) and Thursday, July 16! We recommend breaking out the N-95 masks if you live in the orange, red or purple zones especially. Ground-level smoke aerosols (fine, small particulates that are irritating to the lungs) will be present in high concentrations. This is due to an outbreak of wildfires burning in southern Ontario. The smoke is being swirled southeast into the United States behind a frontal boundary. Boston, New York and Albany will smell it. Pittsburgh, Toronto, Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester, Watertown, Detroit, Chicago and all of Michigan will be unhealthy. Schools – consider keeping the kiddos indoors for recess; athletic programs may want to suspend outdoor practices. If you live in Marquette, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay or Duluth, minimize any and all time outdoors. Might this seem silly? Yes. But you wouldn't sit downwind of a campfire and take deep breaths. You know that would be bad for you. Likewise, we're a bit farther away, but the "campfire" is WAY, way bigger. Bigger wildfires, more smoke, longer distances. Take this seriously!
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Wildfire smoke is bad for every body. The particles are made up of things like acids, chemicals, metals, soil and dust from whatever the fire is burning, including vegetation, buildings and vehicles. cleanaircrew.org/how-to-clea…
Smoke and haze from Canadian wildfires are creating unhealthy air conditions across New York today. I encourage New Yorkers, especially those with health conditions, to exercise caution and stay air quality aware by visiting airnow.gov.
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#CleanAirCrew retweeted
Join WHN's Clean Air Panel Discussion 2: Safer Schools on June 29th from 11 AM to 1 PM ET to hear from a panel of experts working to improve air quality in educational settings. Learn why clean air in schools matters, what solutions are available today, and how we can create healthier learning environments for students, educators, and families in the future. Register here: necsi-edu.zoom.us/meeting/re… #CleanAir #PublicHealth #HepaFilters #SchoolSafety #HealthySchools
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Long lines for masks and air purifiers in California to combat toxic smoke. If we had a functioning field of public health, this would be the scene at the 9 COVlD hot spots across the US as well.
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"To be cavalier about getting repetitive Covid infections is really a huge mistake." -Dr. Birx (2024)
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#CleanAirCrew retweeted
On Wednesday, Baroness Linforth spoke in the House of Lords about the benefits of clean air in schools. She explained how it would reduce sickness absences, improve pupil focus, reduce supply teacher costs, and reduce spread of illness into the community. youtube.com/watch?v=27cH_0E8…
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#CleanAirCrew retweeted
Btw COVID was proven to be airborne bc of THIS WOMAN’s research and the WHO had to completely revise decades of science, she is a HERO, EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW HER NAME!!! She will be remembered by history and in the future so much about our infrastructure will change bc of her.
It's widely accepted that hantavirus transmits from rodent excreta to humans via inhalation of aerosolized virus, so I don't understand why we're so reluctant to acknowledge the inhalation route for human-to-human transmission. nytimes.com/2026/05/14/healt…
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#CleanAirCrew retweeted
Remember the Great Barrington Declaration signers demanding we let our kids catch an unknown virus ASAP so the economy could roar back? 🤔 New OECD study: Long COVID will cost us up to $135B a year, be drag on global economy for the next decade. 👇🏽 bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
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#CleanAirCrew retweeted
Harvard researchers put 24 office workers in the same room for 6 days. They changed one thing about the air. The workers didn't know. Then they tested their brains. Cognitive scores doubled. Here's what the air you're breathing right now is doing to your brain:
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#CleanAirCrew retweeted
Happy to publicly announce that MasqFit is now available in the iOS App Store! apps.apple.com/ca/app/masqfi…
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#CleanAirCrew retweeted
If anyone wants to help I spent a few hours talking to medical students in Havana today who work at a hospital who said they need N95s or equivalents desperately. I’ve already worked with someone to secure 5,000 masks but 40,000 supplies their entire hospital staff for a year.
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🔥 Absolutely brilliant article by @davidcarel. “THE NEW PARADIGM OF AIRBORNE DISEASE” “The COVID-19 pandemic shattered established views of airborne disease. Although it represents a paradigm shift in public health, the field has yet to catch up.” ssir.org/articles/entry/airb…
“We stand at the threshold of what could be the next great leap in our fight against infectious disease. Let us be the generation that discovers how to make sure we all breathe safe air.” Phenomenal article by @davidcarel. ssir.org/articles/entry/airb…
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#CleanAirCrew retweeted
WARNING: Surgical masks do not protect you from an airborne pathogen! Meningitus B can be carried on exhaled aerosol. Meaning if you want any protection, wear a respirator. If you are in Kent, mask up PROPERLY, and protect yourself (and others)!! @BBCNews
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Fellow journalists, here's something you may not know: 6 years later, the pandemic has still not been declared over by the WHO. Probably worth remembering when you read/type the inaccurate phrase "during COVID" or "post-pandemic" throughout the day today and in future stories.
6 years ago today, COVID-19 was officially declared a global pandemic.
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Another study conducted at Addenbrookes hospital in Cambridge showed that air filters worked their magic & removed almost all trace of airborne SARS-CoV-2 virus… …even on a Covid ward where the air would have been thick with infectious viral particles. cuh.nhs.uk/news/air-filters-…
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#CleanAirCrew retweeted
Air filtration at home and work is an easy health win. In my house and office, each room has an air filter and monitor. I try to maintain pristine air quality 24/7. Air pollutants PM2.5, PM10 and poisonous gases like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide, directly contact the respiratory tract, lungs, and eyes, causing irritation and direct toxicity. Smaller particles, particularly ultrafine particles and certain PM2.5 components, can cross the lung tissue (alveoli) into the bloodstream, leading to systemic and metabolic toxicity, as well as hormone and immune dysregulation. Airborne pollutants can also be ingested, irritating the digestive system. Air pollutants increase the risk of respiratory diseases, including lung cancer, negatively affect children's development, focus, and cognitive performance, and are increasingly linked to metabolic disruption, liver disease risk, allergies in children, and elevated risks of multimorbidity and mortality. Using an in-room HEPA filter is a good idea, even if your home uses an HVAC system with filtration. This is because many pollutants originate indoors; cooking, especially pan frying, is a major source of DNA-damaging and potentially carcinogenic toxins, such as aldehydes and PAHs. Key strategies for preventing internal air pollution buildup are good kitchen ventilation with an effective kitchen hood and excellent overall air circulation. Without proper ventilation, frying can temporarily make your kitchen air quality worse than the most polluted areas globally. Additionally, if you use an HVAC system, ensure filters are replaced regularly, and the system is inspected for humidity and mold, as these can contribute to mold and moisture problems in the home. The same regular filter replacement applies to your kitchen hood and in-room air filters. The video below demonstrates the significant difference achievable even with simple, small in-room HEPA filters. These units start at approximately $50 (with filter changes every 2–3 months costing around $20) and can dramatically improve your indoor air quality.
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