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In the news
The Greatest LGBTQ+ Health Issue of All Time: Commercial Tobacco
Dr. Michelle Eakin and her colleagues from the ATS Tobacco Action Committee recently raised awareness that tobacco companies are using predatory marketing tactics to target LGBTQ+ populations that will lead to higher rates of tobacco use and worse health outcomes.
About 1 in 10 young adults are vaping regularly, CDC report finds
A recent CDC report found that "11% of 18- to 24-year-olds define themselves as current e-cigarette users." Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos stresses the importance of more research on the long-term effects of electronic cigarettes
Where can you breathe easy in retirement? How to find a community with clean air.
When retirees are looking for their next home, they often don't consider air quality, which is a huge factor for good health, especially among the elderly. Dr. Meredith McCormack notes that poor air quality harms more than just your lungs; it can also put you at risk for heart attacks and strokes, and proves more harmful to those with diabetes.
Panagis Galiatsatos, MD: Revolutionizing Lung Cancer Awareness and Screening Efforts
Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos emphasizes the importance of lung cancer screenings in the early detection of lung cancer.
Heat stroke, air quality prompt concerns for athlete safety
Among high school athletes, heat stroke is the third leading cause of death. This summer, along with being one of the hottest on record, had the added threat of poor air quality. Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos warns that the particulate matter from the wildfire smoke can be so small that it can enter the bloodstream and impact more systems than just your lungs.
Race-Neutral Testing Could Have Given Access to Life-Saving Lung Transplants for More Black Patients
There is new research from the American Thoracic Society that states that "race-neutral lung function interpretation could increase access to lung transplants for Black patients with respiratory disease." Researchers found that race-specific testing may lead to systematic bias that prevents Black patients with respiratory disease from receiving the care they need.
Smoke from Canada wildfires could disrupt your summer vacation
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Many people are used to spending their summertime outdoors, but with the ongoing wildfires, those plans could be compromised. Spending extended periods of time outdoors with poor air quality is most harmful to children, the elderly, and those with lung diseases, but healthy people can also feel the effects.
Hazy still as air quality at Code Orange, unhealthy for some
Dr. Meredith McCormack reminds us that poor air quality and wildfire smoke are not just dangerous for our lungs; the small particles can enter our bloodstream, impacting our brain, heart, hormones, and other body systems. Children, especially, are at high risk for these outcomes.
Hazardous air quality from wildfire smoke takes a toll on outdoor workers
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Not everyone has the luxury of staying indoors to escape the wildfire smoke. Those who work outdoors often have no choice but to be exposed to the heat, humidity, and now, the wildfire smoke. Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos recommends that if you can't avoid the outdoors, you wear a high-quality and properly-fitting mask.
How to keep indoor air clean if you don’t have an air purifier.
In a conversation with the New York Times, Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos discusses how to clean your indoor air if you don't have access to an air purifier. While a HEPA filter air purifier is your best option, an air-conditioner that is set to recirculate air is the second best choice. The ongoing wildfire smoke concerns may make this information critical for those with lung diseases.
Is it safe to exercise outdoors when the air quality is poor?
Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos weighs in on the risks of exercising when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is too high. He states that when AQI levels exceed 150, aerobic outdoor exercise is risky, and will often be accompanied by respiratory symptoms.
The scientific case against gas stoves
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National Geographic writes about the harms of gas stoves, NO2, and why many people are switching to electric stovetops. Dr. Paulin and BREATHE Center investigators studied gas stoves and nitrogen dioxide exposure, where changing a participant's stove from gas to electric had the most impact on NO2 levels in their home.
BCPS News - Lung Health Ambassador Program
Our Lung Health Ambassador Program (LHAP) was featured on BCPS-TV.
Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos discusses the benefits of the program and children who have been visited by LHAP in their classroom describe their takeaways from the lessons.
Hairdressers of Color Exposed to 'Concerning' Mix of Unknown Chemicals
Dr. Lesliam Quirós-Alcalá discusses her new study, which found that hairdressers of color have higher levels of chemicals in their bodies compared to women of color who work office jobs. Some of these chemicals were expected, based on the products that hairdressers use, but many were unexpected and unidentified.
Why updating particulate matter standards is critical to protecting health
Dr. Meredith McCormack and Sophia Kianni are the authors of this article on particulate matter legislation. They are calling on the EPA to update their National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to reflect the current science. Under the current NAAQS scale, air that is being deemed "healthy" may not actually be safe to breathe, especially for children, pregnant people, those with respiratory diseases, etc.
Doctors warn residents about the dangers of radon gas
Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos speaks about the impact of Radon gas on human health. The risk of high Radon levels in homes is increased in the winter. Learn how to test your home and keep yourself safe.
Household Air Cleaners Improve Heart Health Among Individuals with COPD, Researchers Find
Sarath Raju, MD MPH and Meredith McCormack, MD MPH report on the CLEAN AIR study. Their research explored the relationship between COPD, indoor air pollution, and portable air purifiers in the home.
Hot off the presses
2022 State of Lung Cancer - 2023 report coming in November!
The American Lung Association has released their "State of Lung Cancer" report for 2022. Use the link to discover the impact that lung cancer has on your state.
2023 State of the Air Report
The American Lung Association has released their "State of the Air" report for 2023. Search your state and ZIP code to see how your city measures up against others for High Ozone Days, Particle Pollution, and Groups at Risk. You can also view "Report Cards" on the cleanest cites or the most polluted cities in the country.
2023 State of Tobacco Control
The American Lung Association has released their 2023 "State of Tobacco Control" to provide statistics on how tobacco use and secondhand smoke impact health, the ways in which tobacco prevention methods have been implemented and to what degree they've been proven effective, and how your state measures up against others for various tobacco-related variables.
2023 Asthma and Allergy Report
Allergy Capitals has released their 2023 Asthma and Allergy Report. In this edition, you can find information on how to improve your quality of life if you suffer from seasonal allergies, how COVID-19 impacted those with allergies, the annual state allergy ranking, and more.
