Air pollution

[Jhanananda]

It has been a reasonable hypothesis that air polution might just be one of the primary factors in ill-health.  A friend recently sent me a link to a very good article in support of this hypothesis.  The article is Loss of life expectancy from air pollution compared to other risk factors: a worldwide perspective.  It was published in Cardiovascular Research this month.

Since my health has gone down steadily for the last 10 years, but I have had considerable recovery simply by filtering most of the air that I breath, then it seems reasonable that until we can get the world to stop burning fossil fuels, we can filter the air we breath.  Doing so has improved my health, so it seems like others would benifit equally doing so.

Abstract
Aims

Long-term exposure of humans to air pollution enhances the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. A novel Global Exposure Mortality Model (GEMM) has been derived from many cohort studies, providing much-improved coverage of the exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). We applied the GEMM to assess excess mortality attributable to ambient air pollution on a global scale and compare to other risk factors.
Methods and results

We used a data-informed atmospheric model to calculate worldwide exposure to PM2.5 and ozone pollution, which was combined with the GEMM to estimate disease-specific excess mortality and loss of life expectancy (LLE) in 2015. Using this model, we investigated the effects of different pollution sources, distinguishing between natural (wildfires, aeolian dust) and anthropogenic emissions, including fossil fuel use. Global excess mortality from all ambient air pollution is estimated at 8.8 (7.11–10.41) million/year, with an LLE of 2.9 (2.3–3.5) years, being a factor of two higher than earlier estimates, and exceeding that of tobacco smoking. The global mean mortality rate of about 120 per 100 000 people/year is much exceeded in East Asia (196 per 100 000/year) and Europe (133 per 100 000/year). Without fossil fuel emissions, the global mean life expectancy would increase by 1.1 (0.9–1.2) years and 1.7 (1.4–2.0) years by removing all potentially controllable anthropogenic emissions. Because aeolian dust and wildfire emission control is impracticable, significant LLE is unavoidable.
Conclusion

Ambient air pollution is one of the main global health risks, causing significant excess mortality and LLE, especially through cardiovascular diseases. It causes an LLE that rivals that of tobacco smoking. The global mean LLE from air pollution strongly exceeds that by violence (all forms together), i.e. by an order of magnitude (LLE being 2.9 and 0.3 years, respectively).

[Jhanananda]

From the beginning of the current pandemic it has been my hypothesis that air pollution might just be one of the underlying causes of it.  Evidence is beginning to show up as Air Pollution Vanishes Across China’s Industrial Heartland, at the same time the Wuhan epidemic declines.

China’s lockdown measures to minimize further coronavirus infections have created one unexpected benefit -- a dramatic improvement to the nation’s air quality.

Satellites operated by NASA and the European Space Agency have detected significant drops of major airborne pollutants above vast swathes of the country.

Before-and-after images show how nitrogen dioxide levels plummeted in February compared to pre-lockdown January of this year. Nitrogen dioxide is a noxious gas emitted by factories, motor vehicles and fossil fuel-powered electricity generation stations.

The data were collected by ESA’s Sentinel-5 satellite. Ozone measurements from NASA’s Aura spacecraft showed similar results.

China Claims Peak of Coronavirus Epidemic Has Passed As New Cases Decline and More Than 60,000 Have Recovered

I find it reasonable to consider that the declines in new cases of the coronavirus-epidemic-covid-19 happens to be coincident with declines in local air-pollution due to the lock-down causing radical declines in tansportation related air-polution, as well as the shut down of local coal-fired power plants.  However, arguably there is also obviously an influence from isolation efforts as well.

[rougeleader115]

That is actually really awesome to notice. It really does seem to make sense, I am curious if researchers will come to any similar conclusion.

[Jhanananda]

That is actually really awesome to notice. It really does seem to make sense, I am curious if researchers will come to any similar conclusion.

I'm really done waiting for medical reseearch to figure out why I am dying.

Jhanananda I had finally gotten the funds together about 2 weeks ago and bought an air purifier and an additional HEPA charcoal filter. This was purely from your posts here. I have had a significant decrease in a lot of congestive respiratory symptoms. I no longer feel the need to take an allergy medication every day to combat dander, dust, mold, pollution etc. in my room. My lungs dont feel as inflammed as usual and i rarely need to clear my throat or cough throughout the day. I am finally going to be able to see a doctor this week and will probably move forward towards a diagnosis on the autoimmune disorder i have been outright suffering the past few years. Ill update on what I find out and other health changes in the coming weeks. Praying i dont catch anything at the doctors office x_x.


Rougeleader

It is good to receive your record of success with using an air-purifier.  It is what keeps me alive now.  I only wish I had realized its significance back when I was in my 20s.  Up until 6 months ago I found all I needed to do on most days was simply sleep with an air-purifier running, and I would feel much healthier throughout the day.  Now days I can only breath unfiltered air for about 5 minutes before I start feeling extemely ill.

[Jhanananda]

If we examine the Wiki listing for Air Pollution we find the following:

Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances are introduced into Earth's atmosphere. Sources of air pollution include gases (such as ammonia, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, methane and chlorofluorocarbons), particulates (both organic and inorganic), and biological molecules. It may cause diseases, allergies and even death to humans; it may also cause harm to other living organisms such as animals and food crops, and may damage the natural or built environment. Both human activity and natural processes can generate air pollution.

Air pollution is a significant risk factor for a number of pollution-related diseases, including respiratory infections, heart disease, COPD, stroke and lung cancer.[1] The human health effects of poor air quality are far reaching, but principally affect the body's respiratory system and the cardiovascular system. Individual reactions to air pollutants depend on the type of pollutant a person is exposed to, the degree of exposure, and the individual's health status and genetics.[2] Indoor air pollution and poor urban air quality are listed as two of the world's worst toxic pollution problems in the 2008 Blacksmith Institute World's Worst Polluted Places report.[3] Outdoor air pollution alone causes 2.1[4][5] to 4.21 million deaths annually.[1][6] Overall, air pollution causes the deaths of around 7 million people worldwide each year, and is the world's largest single environmental health risk.[1][7][8]

Productivity losses and degraded quality of life caused by air pollution are estimated to cost the world economy $5 trillion per year.[9][10][11] Various pollution control technologies and strategies are available to reduce air pollution.[12][13]

Pollutants
Main articles: Pollutant and Greenhouse gas

An air pollutant is a material in the air that can have adverse effects on humans and the ecosystem. The substance can be solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases. A pollutant can be of natural origin or man-made. Pollutants are classified as primary or secondary. Primary pollutants are usually produced by processes such as ash from a volcanic eruption. Other examples include carbon monoxide gas from motor vehicle exhausts or sulfur dioxide released from factories. Secondary pollutants are not emitted directly. Rather, they form in the air when primary pollutants react or interact. Ground level ozone is a prominent example of a secondary pollutant. Some pollutants may be both primary and secondary: they are both emitted directly and formed from other primary pollutants.
Pollutants emitted into the atmosphere by human activity include:

    Carbon dioxide (CO
    2) – Because of its role as a greenhouse gas it has been described as "the leading pollutant"[14] and "the worst climate pollutant".[15] Carbon dioxide is a natural component of the atmosphere, essential for plant life and given off by the human respiratory system.[16]

Sulfur oxides (SOx) – particularly sulfur dioxide, a chemical compound with the formula SO2. SO2 is produced by volcanoes and in various industrial processes. Coal and petroleum often contain sulfur compounds, and their combustion generates sulfur dioxide. Further oxidation of SO2, usually in the presence of a catalyst such as NO2, forms H2SO4, and thus acid rain is formed.[2] This is one of the causes for concern over the environmental impact of the use of these fuels as power sources.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) – Nitrogen oxides, particularly nitrogen dioxide, are expelled from high temperature combustion, and are also produced during thunderstorms by electric discharge. They can be seen as a brown haze dome above or a plume downwind of cities. Nitrogen dioxide is a chemical compound with the formula NO2. It is one of several nitrogen oxides. One of the most prominent air pollutants, this reddish-brown toxic gas has a characteristic sharp, biting odor.
Carbon monoxide (CO) – CO is a colorless, odorless, toxic gas.[21] It is a product of combustion of fuel such as natural gas, coal or wood. Vehicular exhaust contributes to the majority of carbon monoxide let into our atmosphere. It creates a smog type formation in the air that has been linked to many lung diseases and disruptions to the natural environment and animals.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) – VOCs are a well-known outdoor air pollutant. They are categorized as either methane (CH4) or non-methane (NMVOCs). Methane is an extremely efficient greenhouse gas which contributes to enhanced global warming. Other hydrocarbon VOCs are also significant greenhouse gases because of their role in creating ozone and prolonging the life of methane in the atmosphere. This effect varies depending on local air quality. The aromatic NMVOCs benzene, toluene and xylene are suspected carcinogens and may lead to leukemia with prolonged exposure. 1,3-butadiene is another dangerous compound often associated with industrial use.
Particulate matter / particles, alternatively referred to as particulate matter (PM), atmospheric particulate matter, or fine particles, are tiny particles of solid or liquid suspended in a gas. In contrast, aerosol refers to combined particles and gas. Some particulates occur naturally, originating from volcanoes, dust storms, forest and grassland fires, living vegetation, and sea spray. Human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels in vehicles, power plants and various industrial processes also generate significant amounts of aerosols. Averaged worldwide, anthropogenic aerosols—those made by human activities—currently account for approximately 10 percent of our atmosphere. Increased levels of fine particles in the air are linked to health hazards such as heart disease,[22] altered lung function and lung cancer. Particulates are related to respiratory infections and can be particularly harmful to those already suffering from conditions like asthma.[23]
Persistent free radicals connected to airborne fine particles are linked to cardiopulmonary disease.[24][25]
Toxic metals, such as lead and mercury, especially their compounds.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) – harmful to the ozone layer; emitted from products are currently banned from use. These are gases which are released from air conditioners, refrigerators, aerosol sprays, etc. On release into the air, CFCs rise to the stratosphere. Here they come in contact with other gases and damage the ozone layer. This allows harmful ultraviolet rays to reach the earth's surface. This can lead to skin cancer, eye disease and can even cause damage to plants.
Ammonia – emitted mainly by agricultural waste. Ammonia is a compound with the formula NH3. It is normally encountered as a gas with a characteristic pungent odor. Ammonia contributes significantly to the nutritional needs of terrestrial organisms by serving as a precursor to foodstuffs and fertilizers. Ammonia, either directly or indirectly, is also a building block for the synthesis of many pharmaceuticals. Although in wide use, ammonia is both caustic and hazardous. In the atmosphere, ammonia reacts with oxides of nitrogen and sulfur to form secondary particles.[26]
Odors — such as from garbage, sewage, and industrial processes
Radioactive pollutants – produced by nuclear explosions, nuclear events, war explosives, and natural processes such as the radioactive decay of radon. (It should also be added that the burning of coal releases Radioactive pollutants.)
Secondary pollutants include:

    Particulates created from gaseous primary pollutants and compounds in photochemical smog. Smog is a kind of air pollution. Classic smog results from large amounts of coal burning in an area caused by a mixture of smoke and sulfur dioxide. Modern smog does not usually come from coal but from vehicular and industrial emissions that are acted on in the atmosphere by ultraviolet light from the sun to form secondary pollutants that also combine with the primary emissions to form photochemical smog.
    Ground level ozone (O3) formed from NOx and VOCs. Ozone (O3) is a key constituent of the troposphere. It is also an important constituent of certain regions of the stratosphere commonly known as the Ozone layer. Photochemical and chemical reactions involving it drive many of the chemical processes that occur in the atmosphere by day and by night. At abnormally high concentrations brought about by human activities (largely the combustion of fossil fuel), it is a pollutant and a constituent of smog.
    Peroxyacetyl nitrate (C2H3NO5) – similarly formed from NOx and VOCs.

Minor air pollutants include:

    A large number of minor hazardous air pollutants. Some of these are regulated in USA under the Clean Air Act and in Europe under the Air Framework Directive
    A variety of persistent organic pollutants, which can attach to particulates

[Jhanananda]

As soome of you know I have made significant progress in health by using air purifiers that included both HEPA and activated charcoal filters.  Since December I had been hearing anecdotes from people with allergies that they had some significant success with using humidifiers, especially with salt added.  I reasoned that if adding salt to a humidifier works then it must be while water is extracting air-borne acids out of the air, then the salt must neutralizes those acids. 

So, I started experimenting with water as an exchange medium for air-purification, as well as adding salt.  After many experiments I have had increasing success, and I have come to use a portable evaporative cooler with salt added to the water at 1/4 cup per gallon (4L).  I also found it works best if I drain the water every 8 hours.

[Naman]

Its a great news, to know you have mostly recovered.  Due to my own health issues,  i thought of discussing stuff with you, dont you stay in sub urbs area with less pollution?  Cause im dreaded to know that even surrounded by trees and all which im assuming u will be,  such an adverse effect of pollution, i cudnt help but think that maybe my own nausea is because of highly toxic air of this bustling city im living in..

I came to know of benefits of basil leaves,  neem leaves and turmeric they detox the body and have you tried paranayama and asana??  It seems pranayama also keeps many cardiovascular and respiratory diseases away,  it is kindof sitting cardio exercise,  as we grow old, running etc can be taxing on joints but even old yogis used to stay fit cause we do need to increase the heart rate to detox..

Also the vitamin D,  sunshine is extremely important.
Of course the food as well.  Eating plant based diet,  raw is better i came to know is able to cure so many health conditions including some auto immune diseases.  Animal protien is not meant for human body it seems.

I wud love to know your thoughts on each of these remedies.

[Jhanananda]

I have been experimenting with health aides and suppliments for over 4 decades.  The thing that has done the most for my health was using an air purifier which includes HEPA, activated charcoal, an aqueous exchange mediu, and a catalyst to convert ozone to O2.

I moved to Prescott, AZ for my health 10 years ago, but found my health got worse and continued to get worse until I started using air purifiers.  It turns out that even though Prescott, AZ is in the mountains and has only light industry; nonetheless, it is only 50 miles from Phoenix, AZ which is the 7th worst city in the USA for air pollution; and surface winds blow air polliuton from Phoenix to Prescott.  My conclusio is to move further away from Phoenix, such as Flag Staff, which is 100 miles north.  I have recently camped their for a week, and found I needed to use my air purifiers less.

[Naman]

I bet these toxins are the major cause. I m planning to move soon have had enough of it. 
Phoenix is showing 70 aqi,  Prescott 35

Can u imagine on a regular day before Lockdown, aqi of bangalore where i live used to get as bad as 140/160

Im going to take your suggestions seriously and gonna do smthg abt it get purifier meanwhile

[Jhanananda]

I bet these toxins are the major cause. I m planning to move soon have had enough of it. 
Phoenix is showing 70 aqi,  Prescott 35

Can u imagine on a regular day before Lockdown, aqi of bangalore where i live used to get as bad as 140/160

Im going to take your suggestions seriously and gonna do smthg abt it get purifier meanwhile

Oh its interesting that u mentioned vertigo,  i have been feeling it myself from past 2 years.  I think yes it is becasue of toxins from air n food.  Also im avoiding food that imcreases heat in body. Oil spices,  etc

I have seen an AQI here in Prescott, AZ of 120 and 180, so it is time to leave; however, with AQIs so high I was able to feel fine as long as I breathed purified air.

Are you familier with something we call here a "swamp cooler" or "evaporative cooler?"  Evaporative coolers pump water through a filter medium which has air pulled through it.  In a dry climate this can significantly reduce the temperature.  I grew up with these on the roof of my parent's house.

What I have come to realize is swamp coolers also extract particulate out of the air, as well as extract NOX and SOX, which are common respiratory irritants.  However, the problem with swamp coolers is people almost never drain the water from them, so after months of recerculating the water it becomes like mud, which can lead to ill-health.

I recently discovered that if the sump on the swamp cooler were drained daily, then the swamp cooler can be a very effective air-purifier; whereas, if the water is never changed then it can cause disease.

[Naman]

120-180 is pretty high. Yes im aware of those coolers we call them desert cooler here and we use it commonly. Its interesting to know, i can imagine water abosrbing the particulate cause the filter isnt so fine, as u mentioned earlier about humidifier.

So do you take portable air purifier mask or smthng when you go out?

[Jhanananda]

120-180 is pretty high. Yes im aware of those coolers we call them desert cooler here and we use it commonly. Its interesting to know, i can imagine water abosrbing the particulate cause the filter isnt so fine, as u mentioned earlier about humidifier.

Yes, the cooler does remove particulate, but even more useful since it uses water for cooling, which it blows air through, then if the air contains any NOX (nitrogen oxides) or SOX (sulfur oxide), and it turns out that NOX and SOX are highly attracted to water, so the water pulls the NOX and SOX out of the air that is passing through the swamp cooler, and thus purifies it. 

And, it is necessary to note that NOX and SOX are highly corosive, and are recognized as respiratory irritants at extremely low levels, so you want something to remove it from the air you breath, and thus a swamp cooler works really well at it.

So do you take portable air purifier mask or smthng when you go out?

Yes, I bought a Gearson respirator and replaced the replaceable paper filter with a damp spunge that was cut to the shape of the paper filter so it would fit the intake portion of the mask filter.

[Naman]

Aah yes,  I get it. Thankyou for sharing  your findings.

 I was wondering,  what you do nowadays throughout the day?  Earlier, i believe you used to meditate only during night time right?  Now do you meditate most of the day?  And what u used to do when the body was suffering much,  wud you get out of body then also?

[Jhanananda]

I was wondering,  what you do nowadays throughout the day?  Earlier, i believe you used to meditate only during night time right?  Now do you meditate most of the day?  And what u used to do when the body was suffering much,  wud you get out of body then also?

For most of my contemplative life I began and ended every day with meditation with the intention of depth. For most of the last 20 years I have meditated at least 3 times a day to depth of the 4th jhana, or beyond.  For the last 2.5 years of severe illness I spend almost 24/7 in isolation with my respiratory equipment.  Most days I spend most of the day in meditation.  My eye sight is so poor that I only read what has to be read.  Lately, health permitting, I work about half the day packing and preparing to move from Prescott, where my health has been in decline.  I frequently have to take breaks with my respiratory equipment, at which time I meditate.

[Naman]

Alright, I hope it gets all better for your body. I remember your comment from one of the video, that experienced yogi cann get to great depths really quickly, so once you get to 8th jhana which is believe must be happening fairly quickly how long you stay there? and what actually brings us back? can we decide the amount of time we stay in it?


I had something to discuss, about thought and calmness of second jhana, there are 2 layers of mind as  i had observed, one is of conscious thinking, which is like a voice we intentionally generate in our head, second is sub-conscious, in which mind randomly brings up thoughts based on memory (it can be visual image or a less louder conversation going on). what i have observed is for most part in second jhana conscious thought is put to rest and this leads to cutting of randomly generated thoughts from the subconscious mind as well. In my experience, total mental activity only stops when we are very deep in 4th jhana, since breath and mind are related so unless breath stops subtle thoughts keep popping up. But to be honest, your breath cant be stopped for long even in 4th jhana, (that may be possible when we go obe perhaps), so some mental activity always remains through out the session, and we may keeping circling between different jhanas and different level of mental stillness.

Do you agree with this observation or do you think that i never ever crossed second jhana cause i dont find total cessation of mind (no subtle images etc popping up) unless breath is very very slow and almost stopping(i.e. 4th jhana as per what i understand).