Masks for many reasons – science behind the self-care in the shared air we breathe
Safe enjoyment of our time outdoors in the sun is at the heart of Dr. Moondust’s work as creator of the special formulation of Moondust Cosmetics® skin care line and her work as a cancer biologist and researcher. This post shows three main reasons to practice self-care as it pertains to our breathing in the atmosphere we share.
These factors may impact every breath you take outside in your environment, whether you live in a rural or urban setting, and in any part of the world:
Pollution
Especially a problem in heavily industrialized areas. One Italian study found that SARS-CoV-2RNA was present on pollution particles thereby increasing its potential capacity for spreading in the environment. This would explain why densely populated cities located in heavy industrial zones, such as Northern Italy and Mumbai to name just two are experiencing heavy COVID positive numbers in their citizens.
Sars COV2
This is the virus linked to the pandemic of COVID-19 the world is experiencing.
Interestingly, studies of areas suffering heavy industrial pollution have also reported a high rate of COVID-19 infections.
Forest Fires
Often more intense during an area’s forest fire season, smoke and particles from fires billow over cityscapes and country sides affecting air quality and putting many at risk for respiratory complications.
The air we breathe is common to each of these environmental concerns as the atmosphere with pollutants waft over us.
On the subject of the air that we breathe: Moondust’s founder has contributed her research to a recently released scientific research book. Her chapter is entitled: Heavy Metal Toxicity & Respiratory Tract Cancers.
It’s a timely topic given the potential health hazards of the seasonal fires we are seeing in BC and the fires affecting California, Oregon and Washington State as well as other parts of the world.
That air carries toxins with it. It directly affects our eyes, mouth, nose and lungs and from there loads up our entire body with the curse of chemicals and bacteria.
We do know that:
- Cigarette smoke introduces significant concentrations of select heavy metals including lead and cadmium when it is inhaled.
- Cigarette smoke and air pollution have been associated with lung cancer and nasopharyngeal and laryngeal cancer, respectively.
- In developing countries, indoor air pollution due to the domestic use of unprocessed biomass fuels such as wood, dung, and coal is another cause of respiratory tract cancers in humans.
- In some developed countries such as Australia and Canada, the alarming increase in forest fire frequency due to climate-change and the associated smoke released into the environment is also likely to pose a future human health risk. Polycyclic organic particles in biomass and forest fire smoke can include carcinogens such as benzo[a]pyrene, which is also found in cigarette smoke.
All these and more examples are linked to apoptosis or cell death which is implicated in the triggers of many different types of cancers in humans.
What does Dr. Moondust suggest? In the larger picture, attention to our environment as stewards of this planet and the care of our planet’s life support system. Dr. Moondust’s final message in the chapter is that there must be an end to all war in order for us to solve this climate crisis together.
On the individual actions, the things that have always stood us in good stead: Eat healthfully for your body’s eco system, sleep enough, move more and for now, a good policy is to wear masks.
Facial masks are a barrier between you and air born particles of toxicity from fires, industrial by-products and our newest foe, COVID-19.
Stay healthy and active and safe.
Follow us on Instagram
Find us on Facebook
Visit MoondustCosmetics.com for more news on health and lifestyle topics
