air pollution

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Kari Nadeau is a physician scientist with expertise in treating food allergies. In this episode, Kari first explains the fascinating workings of the immune system, exploring how it adeptly defends against bacteria and viruses but how the same system can lead to food allergies. She proceeds to explore the complexities of food allergies, detailing their typical developmental patterns, underscoring the significance of preventative approaches like early exposure, and highlighting the potentially life-threatening nature of severe food allergies. Kari illuminates the latest advancements in immunotherapies that not only mitigate allergy severity but also hold the potential to completely cure the patient. Additionally, Kari shares her concerns about the increasing levels of air pollution, elucidating its adverse effects on health while providing valuable suggestions for reducing exposure.

We discuss:

• Kari’s motivation to study food allergies [4:00];
• Overview of the immune system and the family of immunoglobulins [9:00];
• How our immune system fights viruses, bacteria, or fungi, and some exceptions to the rule [13:00];
• Why our immune system is generally better at fighting viruses than bacterial infections [18:45];
• Differentiating a food sensitivity from a food allergy, and a discussion about celiac disease [25:30];
• How food allergies develop, why they can be lethal, and factors contributing to the uptrend in food allergies [35:45];
• The role of environmental factors in the onset of food allergies and strategies for prevention [50:15];
• How immunotherapy helps to overcome, and even cure, food allergies [1:04:15];
• Can immunotherapy work for environmental allergens like pollen? [1:24:00];
• Air pollution: impact on health and tips for reducing your risk [1:25:30];
• Resources for those wanting to learn more or find clinical trials related to food allergies [1:40:45]; and
• More.

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A tumultuous week in Spain continues as Luis Rubiales, the Head of the Spanish FA, refuses to resign after kissing footballer Jenni Hermoso on the lips in the aftermath of Spain's World Cup win. His mother is on day 2 of a hunger strike, locking herself inside a church. You couldn't write it.

So Lewis and Jon discuss the wider repercussions of this sexism row with Spanish lawyer Miriam Gonzalez Durantez.

They also speak with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan about his controversial ULEZ extension, and whether it threatens to create divisions within the Labour party between Khan and Keir Starmer.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Planning Producer: Alex Barnett

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producer: Will Gibson-Smith

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".

The News Agents is a Global Player Original and a Persephonica Production.

Your morning briefing, the business news you need in just 15 minutes.

On today's podcast:
(1) A Bloomberg survey reveals economists now expect GDP growth in China of 5.1% this year.

(2) Gas prices have surged in Europe as Chevron received notice of impending industrial action in Australia.

(3) Goldman Sachs has struck a deal to sell United Capita, an Investment adviser it had purchased for $750.

(4) Citadel vets 69,000 intern applicants in battle for "truly exceptional" new hires. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air purifiers have become one of the most popular home gadgets in recent years and you can spend hundreds of pounds on the top-end models. They promise to remove harmful pollutants in the air, reduce the symptoms of allergies and help you breathe more easily in a more healthy environment. But what's the evidence around how effective they are?

Listener Laura, a respiratory doctor, got in touch wanting to know whether they work and even if they could help some of her patients in their daily lives.

Greg Foot investigates the science behind the product, speaking to experts to find out just how many pollutants are being pulled from thin air, the effective range of air purifiers and whether there are any downsides to how they work.

This series, we’re testing your suggested wonder-products. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or fad and wonder if there's any evidence to back up a claim drop us an email to sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk or you can send us a voice note to our new WhatsApp number: 07543 306807

PRESENTER: Greg Foot PRODUCERS: Kate Holdsworth and Julian Paszkiewicz

In 1952 London was gripped by a acrid smog that settled throughout the city so thickly residents couldn’t see their own feet on the sidewalk.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Breathing clean air is every child's human right," says grassroots campaigner Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, sharing the heartbreaking story of her seven-year-old daughter, Ella Roberta, whose asthma was triggered to a fatal point by air pollution. Now, Adoo-Kissi-Debrah is on a mission to raise awareness about the harmful effects of unsafe air on our health and the planet. In this moving talk, she details why governments have an urgent responsibility to take action on air pollution -- and ensure that all children have a chance to live full and healthy lives.

The doctrine of "first, do no harm" is the basis of the Hippocratic Oath, one of the world's oldest codes of ethics. It governs the work of physicians -- but climate and health campaigner Shweta Narayan says it should go further. In this essential talk, she highlights the interdependence of environmental and human health and emphasizes the necessity of placing health at the heart of all climate solutions.

Air pollution is estimated to cause 7 million deaths a year and cost the global economy nearly $3 trillion. But is the true cost even higher? Stephen Dubner explores the links between pollution and cognitive function, and enlists two fellow Freakonomics Radio Network hosts in a homegrown experiment.

Put on your party hats, it's Isa season! After years in the doldrums could we have a proper Isa battle on our hands in 2019?

Santander and Coventry Building Society have launched two best-buy easy-access tax-free deals, and that appears to have put some wind in the sails of This is Money assistant editor Lee Boyce.

Editor Simon Lambert and host Georgie Frost – along with Lee – talk all things Isas: whether they are worth it, the options and importantly, are the new top rates a potential catalyst for more competition?

Elsewhere, we take a look at new fintech firm Dozens, offering a five per cent return spotted after a recent London Transport advertising blitz.

There is a victory for This is Money readers, as Virgin Money refunds credit card customers stung by charges after unwittingly setting minimum payments rather than paying the full balance when changing card.

Simon runs the rule over a 95% interest-only mortgage launched by Newbury Building Society.

Finally, we talk about our latest Freedom of Information request to find out just how many motorists actually get fined for idling engines to defrost windscreens.

Enjoy.

Traffic. You hate it, we hate it, the rest of the world hates it, and unfortunately, our best efforts to curb it usually only make it worse. This week on Hidden Brain, we visit a few of the world's most congested cities, and investigate a few options to make driving safer and less maddening.