Carl Zimmer's new book 'Air-Borne: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe' examines the historical perspective of airborne diseases and the impact of miasma theory on city design. Although the science behind miasma theory was flawed, its emphasis on clean air and ventilation was progressive. A key recommendation is to approach indoor air quality as we do with tap water, advocating for regulatory standards and monitoring. This perspective could fundamentally change our approach to architectural design and our collective understanding of air quality.
For centuries, fear of airborne miasmas impacted the design of buildings and cities. While the underlying science of miasma theory was completely wrong, the focus on ventilation and clean air was actually ahead of its time.
We should treat indoor air like we treat tap water - as a shared resource that requires standards, monitoring, and protection.
This shift would represent a fundamental reimagining of how we design and inhabit spaces, and how we think about the air we breathe together.
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