Carmen Talks Air

Ms. Carmen

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SCIENCE

Science-based podcast on the quality of the air we breathe and how it affects our health. Presented by a science educator who cares a lot about the air we breathe.

MAR 18

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/ 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 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/ 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 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 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 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 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/ Send us fan mail Support the show 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

13 min
10/23/2025

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 Support the show 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

12 min
08/05/2025

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 Support the show 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

9 min
06/12/2025

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 Support the show 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

11 min
05/28/2025

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 Support the show 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

14 min
05/13/2025

Episode 7: The History of Air Pollution and Air Quality Efforts (Part 2)

Welcome to part two of the history of air pollution and air quality efforts. The history of air pollution is a history of our response to crisis. Although air quality laws have saved countless lives, air pollution levels in many cities still exceed safe limits. On a global level, over 90% of the population breathes polluted air on a daily basis, with Black, Brown, and poor folks being disproportionately affected. Send us fan mail Support the show 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

10 min
04/30/2025

Episode 6: The History of Air Pollution & Air Quality Efforts (part 1)

Imagine stepping out of a time machine into the middle of ancient Rome. What you'd immediately experience is air pollution. We think of air pollution as a modern problem, but it's been shaping human history for thousands of years. In this episode, we’re diving into the history of air pollution and air quality efforts, going far back enough to before we even had a word for it. Send us fan mail Support the show 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

10 min
04/16/2025

Episode 5: Urban Air Quality

Urban air quality is shaped by traffic, industry, buildings, gentrification, and even the different way cities are designed. But here’s the big question: What is this daily pollution doing to our health? Send us fan mail Support the show 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

11 min
04/02/2025

Episode 4: Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Considering that we spend 90% of our time indoors, the quality of that air matters! On this episode, we explore what contributes to indoor air pollution, how it affects your health, and what you can do about it. Send us fan mail Support the show 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

14 min
03/24/2025

Episode 3: What Is AQI?

The AQI, or Air Quality Index, is a simple way to communicate how clean or polluted the air is, using numbers and colors that anyone can understand. But what does it all mean, and how does that affect you? In this episode, we decode the AQI and help you make sense of what that means for you and your family. Send us fan mail Support the show 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

9 min
03/23/2025

Episode 2: The Air We Breathe

What if I told you that with each breath, you’re inhaling much more than just the air you need to survive? Tiny, invisible particles, chemicals, and gases enter your lungs every time you breathe. Some are harmless. Some are not. On this episode, we explore what's supposed to be in the air we breathe, what's actually in it, and how it affects you. Send us fan mail Support the show 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

9 min
03/23/2025

Episode 1: Inhale, Exhale: An Introduction to Air Quality

Welcome to the introductory episode of Inhale, Exhale: An Air Quality Podcast! Breathing. It’s one of the most basic things we require to stay alive, and yet, we rarely stop to consider what’s actually in the air we're taking in. Check out this first episode as we dive into the basics of air quality, how it affects you, and why you should care. Send us fan mail Support the show 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

12 min

12 Episodes

Science-based podcast on the quality of the air we breathe and how it affects our health. Presented by a science educator who cares a lot about the air we breathe.

Creator

Ms. Carmen
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

12
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Carmen Talks Air
Show Website

Carmen Talks Air