Air-Borne

In this episode of 99% Invisible, Roman Mars interviews science writer Carl Zimmer about his new book, "Airborne," which explores the history of our understanding of the air and its relationship to disease. The conversation begins with the ancient concept of miasmas and progresses to the germ theory, highlighting the work of Max von Pettenkofer and later scientists like William and Mildred Wells. They discuss the reluctance of scientific institutions to fully embrace the idea of airborne infections, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the potential for improving indoor air quality through ventilation, filtration, and ultraviolet light. Zimmer advocates for treating indoor air quality with the same seriousness as clean water, emphasizing the need for building standards and proactive measures to protect public health from airborne diseases.