Is there any research on the amount of carbon inhaled by cyclists on busy city streets? There would surely be serious long-term effects, so should cyclists wear respirators (to filter out contaminants)?
Richard Moore, Somerset.
Dr. Scurr responds: Your question will concern many cyclists. Since they are exposed to outside air, one would think they would be the most affected by pollution, but research does not support this.
One of the first studies to demonstrate this was carried out by GP and pioneering urban cyclist, Dr Ronnie Williams, who was concerned about the effects of breathing pollution while cycling twice a week for his trip to St Bart’s Hospital. in the 1960s. He measured his own blood carbon monoxide levels using hospital equipment and compared them to the levels in his blood when he took the same bus trip, and was surprised to find that the bus trip resulted in much higher carbon monoxide levels high.
Although it may seem surprising, studies have shown that on busy city streets, cyclists breathe less pollution than those who travel by car or public transport, writes Dr Martin Scurr.
He attributed this to the fact that he was breathing deeply while cycling, thus exhaling all the pollutants.
More recent research has been done not only on the absorption of carbon monoxide, but also particulate matter (the tiny particles of pollution), nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and other pollutants.
These also suggest that cyclists breathe less pollutants than people in cars or buses.
For example, a 2019 study by King’s College London, a leader in air quality research, analyzed several air pollutants and multiple studies, and found that people who travel in diesel vehicles face higher levels of pollution than the cyclists.
Regarding your question about mask use, P3 rated respiratory masks have been established as the most effective against particles and all pollution except gases. But nothing is capable of absorbing carbon monoxide.
If I were a cyclist, I would wear an FFP3 mask; although they are hot to wear and a little uncomfortable so it may take a while to get used to.
I suffer with dry, itchy, inflamed skin inside my ears. I am using olive oil instead of the prescribed steroid spray and it is working well. Could there be long term side effects?
Katie Gooding, Hampshire.
Dr. Scurr responds: Using olive oil to treat ear canals is a traditional remedy. I have never encountered an abnormal reaction when using it this way, unlike some of the commercially available products, which may contain preservatives that some people become sensitized to and cause inflammation.
You are using olive oil to treat an itchy ear skin condition; Many people use it to soften earwax, allowing it to be easily removed with a syringe. But a word of advice: do not use warm or hot oil. Not only is heating unnecessary, it is potentially dangerous.
