#69 - Carl Zimmer: Airborne - The Hidden History of the Air We Breathe

Send us a text Carl Zimmer, columnist for the New York Times and acclaimed science writer, discusses his new book "Airborne" which explores the fascinating yet troubling history of how we understand disease transmission through air. • Pandemic debates about COVID transmission revealed historical patterns of resistance to airborne disease theories • William and Mildred Wells discovered in the 1930s-40s that diseases float in air droplets for hours but were largely forgotten by history • The Wellses demonstrated UV light could effectively disinfect air and prevent disease transmission in classrooms • Fred Meyer, who coined "aerobiology," pioneered research collecting microbes from airplanes and stratospheric balloons in the 1930s • After WWII, much aerobiology research was classified and redirected into biological weapons programs • Despite COVID raising awareness, momentum for improving indoor air quality standards is already fading • Historical documents of scientific work are increasingly vulnerable as government webpages disappear or change • Psychological barriers may explain our reluctance to accept that air can transmit disease Carl Zimmer LinkedIn Carl Zimmer Support the show Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more. And the YouTube Channel The Air Quality Matters Podcast is brought to you in partnership with. Eurovent Farmwood Aereco Aico Ultra Protect Zehnder Group The One Take Podcast is brought to you in partnership with. SafeTraces & InBiot All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.