By Breathe in…ahhh…that fresh air! But, is it clean? Likely not. Daily air quality indexes on the Upper West Side, for example, can range in the “poor” toxic levels. More specifically, for example, on October 19 the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) on the Upper West Side was 51.P with the note:
“The air has reached a high level of pollution. Higher than the maximum limit for 24 hours established by WHO” based on current pollutants.
Air quality in the subway has similar issues. And, beyond that focusing on disease, as Covid taught us, we can contract deadly illnesses from breathing in the droplets of airborne pathogens released into the environment by people we may not know or even seen. And, as most of us have learned from the CDC, “Anyone infected with Covid 19 can spread it, even if they do NOT have symptoms.”
For years, doctors have been advising patients to get annual flu shots – Many hospitals encourage staff to get vaccinated. And, toward achieving this goal send employee health staff on rounds to inoculate any worker who will offer an arm.
Monitoring air quality with a personal monitor or relying on air reports on weather apps informs about levels of toxicity in your area, but what then? Reducing the presence of Nitrous-ozone in the air along with other causes of air pollution in NYC may seem overwhelming.
Need something else to worry about? The biggest air pollutants in Manhattan are PM2.5, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2): Other toxins in the air include: sulfur dioxide, airborne lead and Carbon Monoxide.
Present levels of air pollution and the future of air raises the question: are vaccines, air sanitizers and purifiers just Band-Aids? Possibly, but it’s what we’ve got.
Convinced that a quick arm stick will prevent or lessen the symptoms of Covid, flu and serious respiratory sickness, it’s currently easy for Upper West Siders to book online and get their shots at a local pharmacy, or at their primary care doctor’s office.
Dmitry Volfson, DO, Chief Medical Officer of CityMD, said that the CityMD at 2025 Broadway and its other NYC urgent care offices provide regular and high dose flu shots. Ideally, Dr. Volfson said, people should get vaccinated in October or November, but if they miss doing so, it’s still a good idea to get vaccinated in December or even in January. Certified in Emergency and Urgent Care Medicine Dr. Volfson has much experience treating patients with flu symptoms that occur during the winter as well as throughout the year.
Testing for the flu is available at all CityMD locations. “Generally, the flu is managed with supportive care, which includes fever reducers, rest, hydration and using over the counter medications to relieve symptoms such as cough and congestion. Most patients tend to recover in 5-7 days. People with influenza symptoms who come in within 48 hours of onset of symptoms may be prescribed oral antiviral medications like Tamiflu or Xofluza, to help reduce the duration and severity of flu symptoms,” said Dr. Volfson. He added that patients who are elderly or have a weakened immune system are at higher risk for developing pneumonia and should have close follow up if the symptoms are not resolving.
Yes, air pollution aggravates flu symptoms and makes breathing more difficult, especially for people with asthma, or allergies, like Dr. Volfson himself. He does have an air purifier at home and encourages others to use one.
Jeffrey Miskoff, DO, has a concierge practice providing care to patients in NYC and NJ. called Help Me Now Doc. As a pulmonary specialist by definition his expertise focuses on breathing. He exclusively makes home visits and consults with patients virtually. Regarding treatment for Covid, Dr. Miskoff believes patients should keep multiple tests for Covid and Flu on hand, if they experience symptoms, they should test for three consecutive days and if the latest test is positive, call a doctor immediately for a prescription of antiviral pills.
Those who are confined to bed and using the services of a concierge medical provider at home, must, according to law, get vaccines on one of their hospital visits that are usual for patients on ventilators.
Flu is another matter. Yes, there are flu vaccine opponents who claim the inoculations are ineffective or have harmful side effects including evidence relating to cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, but millions are convinced flu shots are successful in eliminating or reducing the disabling weakness, difficulty breathing and other consequences of flu.
Dr. Miskoff also believes in the positive effect of air purifiers. He’s had two installed in his home and one in his son’s college dorm room. “These purifiers have HEPA and carbon filters and are extremely sensitive and crank up even when they pick up the slightest scent of food or hairspray.”
Air purification technologies used for high risk patients in controlled medical settings have been around for some time, but their incorporation as luxuries that are included in some newly constructed buildings is notable. Take for example, this detail from Forbes: “within the boutique condominium building Charlotte of the Upper West Side, air in each residence is exchanged with fresh air 13 times a day. Entering fresh air is filtered through a state-of-the-art filtration system, which purifies the incoming air. The air passes through ultraviolet light, is adjusted for humidity and heated or cooled to temperatures the resident has set.”
Manufacturers of canisters of air purifiers promote up to 99 percent effectiveness in sanitizing the air. But, while disinfectant sprays may be effective in cleaning surfaces, the extent to which they may sanitize a roomful of air is uncertain. Dr. Miskoff said they may also be irritants.
Beyond each of us getting vaccinated against disease, taking antiviral medications to manage symptoms and using sanitizing sprays and installing filters – the challenge of approaching the future of air is a lot bigger.
“Air pollution is the single greatest environmental threat to human health, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that 99% of the world’s population are breathing air that is harmful to their health. How can progress be made towards WHO guidelines through air quality monitoring and modeling, evidence-based policymaking, open governance, and citizen science?”
The ongoing challenge to achieve clean air brings governmental agencies, and spokespeople for health, energy, transportation and industry and others into discussion and even conflicts brought into the courts. The American Lung Association website provides a Clean Air Timeline that pinpoints numerous key events and policy changes related to clean air.
Just two among many points in this timeline:
– 1991: The American Lung Association sues EPA to force review of the ozone air quality standard. The standards establish the official “safe” level for an outdoor air pollutant. By law, the standards were to be reviewed every five years to keep up with the growing research. By 1991, the standards had not been reviewed since 1979. The court rules in favor of the Lung Association the next year. (CAT)
Then, fast forward:
– 2021: The Biden-Harris administration announces executive actions aimed at addressing climate change and advancing equity, including rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement; directing federal agencies to move to clean transportation and carbon-free electricity; reexamining rollbacks from the previous administration; and renewing focus on climate and health.” (CAT)
Making sustainable clean air a reality unquestionably complex. However Glenn Wightman, an advocate for the environment, posted an online list of some benefits of cleaner air focused specifically on health- a reality check for anyone questioning that that the overall goal is worth achieving:
Ten benefits of clean air:
- #1. Reduced Allergies and Asthma Symptoms. …
- #2. Better your blood pressure. …
- #3. Cleaner Lungs. …
- #4. Longer Life Span. …
- #5. Improved productivity. …
- #6. Better sleep. …
- #7. Better Immune System. …
- #9. Improved Mood.
- #10 Reduced medical costs