Carmen Talks Air

Episode 12: Air Pollution During Times of War

SOURCES: Björnham, O., Grahn, H., von Schoenberg, P., Waleij, A., Liljedahl, B., & Brännström, N. (2017, November 7). The 2016 Al-Mishraq Sulphur Plant Fire: Source and Risk Area Estimation. arXiv.org. https://arxiv.org/abs/1611.03837 Brown, V. J. (2004, December). Battle Scars: Global Conflicts and Environmental Health. National Library of Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1253679/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1253679/] Gayle, D. (2026, March 10). Bombing of Iran’s oil infrastructure to have major environmental fallout, experts warn. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/10/bombing-of-irans-oil-infrastructure-to-have-major-environmental-fallout-experts-warn [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/10/bombing-of-irans-oil-infrastructure-to-have-major-environmental-fallout-experts-warn] Lange, J. L., Schwartz, D. A., Doebbeling, B. N., Heller, J. M., & Thorne, P. S. (2002, November). Exposures to the Kuwait Oil Fires and Their Association with Asthma and Bronchitis Among Gulf War Veterans. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1241071/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1241071/] Parmelee, Jennifer (1991, December 20). Environmentalists Survey the Blackened Wasteland That Was Kuwait. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/12/20/environmentalists-survey-the-blackened-wasteland-that-was-kuwait/fb14eaa2-af22-4392-9857-76db5b49c846 [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/12/20/environmentalists-survey-the-blackened-wasteland-that-was-kuwait/fb14eaa2-af22-4392-9857-76db5b49c846] Reaser, Donald F (2024) Gulf War Oil Burning: Military History and Science. EBSCO Research. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/military-history-and-science/gulf-war-oil-burning [https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/military-history-and-science/gulf-war-oil-burning] United Nations. (2003, March 21). Air Pollution From Baghdad Fires Poses Risks for Human Health and Environment. UN Meetings Coverage and Press Releases. United Nations. https://press.un.org/en/2003/ik339.doc.htm [https://press.un.org/en/2003/ik339.doc.htm] US Department of Veterans Affairs, V. H. A. (2013, December 16). Oil Well Fires during Gulf War. https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/sources/oil-well-fires.asp [ https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/sources/oil-well-fires.asp] WHO Warns of Health Risks from “Black Rain” in Iran. Reuters. (2026, March 10). https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/who-warns-health-risks-black-rain-iran-2026-03-10/ [https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/who-warns-health-risks-black-rain-iran-2026-03-10/] Send us fan mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459806/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/U457JF6AEA6WA] Thanks for tuning in, I hope you’ve been finding this information helpful! If so, please share with a friend!  Have a question or comment? E-mail us at CarmenTalksAir@gmail.com or follow on social media @CarmenTalksAir

Episode 11: The Day the the Sky Turned Orange in NYC

Where were you the day the sky turned orange? If you were in New York City on the afternoon of June 7th, I’m sure you remember how strange and eerie that whole experience was. On this episode, we reflect on the June 2023 wildfire smoke event in New York City. Send us fan mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459806/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/U457JF6AEA6WA] Thanks for tuning in, I hope you’ve been finding this information helpful! If so, please share with a friend!  Have a question or comment? E-mail us at CarmenTalksAir@gmail.com or follow on social media @CarmenTalksAir

Episode 10: What Is Particulate Matter?

So tiny you can't see it, particulate matter is the most harmful air pollutant on our planet. Much smaller than a grain of sand, and capable of causing short and long-term harm, particulate matter is usually the cause for most air quality advisories/warnings. In this episode, we explore what particulate matter is, where it comes from, and what you can do to protect yourself from it. Send us fan mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459806/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/U457JF6AEA6WA] Thanks for tuning in, I hope you’ve been finding this information helpful! If so, please share with a friend!  Have a question or comment? E-mail us at CarmenTalksAir@gmail.com or follow on social media @CarmenTalksAir

Episode 9: Air Quality and Health

It’s easy to think about air as invisible and inconsequential, simply because its always there, but it’s anything but. Every single time you take a breath, you’re taking in much more than just oxygen—you’re inhaling a mix of particles, gases, and pollutants that can affect your health in ways you may not even realize. So, what exactly is happening inside your body when the air quality dips? And how can you protect yourself from the health impacts of polluted air? Tune in to the latest episode to learn more. Send us fan mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459806/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/U457JF6AEA6WA] Thanks for tuning in, I hope you’ve been finding this information helpful! If so, please share with a friend!  Have a question or comment? E-mail us at CarmenTalksAir@gmail.com or follow on social media @CarmenTalksAir

Episode 8: Air Purification Basics

Welcome to episode 8! We’re diving into the basics of air purification, offering you practical, science-backed information on how to make the air you breathe cleaner, whether you’re on a tight budget or ready to invest in advanced solutions. I’ll be discussing air purifiers, DIY solutions, and things in between—because clean air should be accessible to everyone. Send us fan mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459806/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/U457JF6AEA6WA] Thanks for tuning in, I hope you’ve been finding this information helpful! If so, please share with a friend!  Have a question or comment? E-mail us at CarmenTalksAir@gmail.com or follow on social media @CarmenTalksAir