Air—The Breath of Life (v.

2)

Air is vital to each of the trillions of cells that make up our body.
Today’s talk will look at ways in which we can maximize the
benefits of air—the breath of life.

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©Wildwood Lifestyle Center, Photodisc #AA013709

In 1875 a group of explorers launched a hot air balloon called

Zenith. Their goal was to set a world record by reaching the highest
altitude levels ever attempted. They succeeded
by reaching…
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©Kauai Fine Arts www.brunias.com #SB15

…28,000 feet (8,600 meters), but of the three men manning the
balloon two died due to a lack of oxygen.1,2

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©Kauai Fine Arts www.brunias.com #SB15

This tragic experience was a solemn reminder that a person can

live for…

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…weeks without food, for days without water, but only minutes
without adequate oxygen. It is a basic ingredient to life’s
existence.

©Wildwood Lifestyle Center

When we think of air we think of oxygen, but air is only…

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…21% oxygen,

1 Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?

object=nasm_A19280013000.
2 Pfotzer, G. (1972). History of the use of balloons in scientific experiments. Space Science Reviews, Volume 13, Issue 2,
pp.199-242.
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 Air—The Breath of Life (v. 2)
with the majority being 78% nitrogen,
and traces of other gases and water.3

©Corbis #NBA001

Air quality can vary greatly. Clean, fresh air comes from the
purifying action of nature itself.

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Air is purified and energized by storms and lightning,

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…by green plants, trees and running water…

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…and by sunshine, oceans and sand.

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But unfortunately, clean air often becomes polluted.

Industries, vehicle exhaust, and smoke are major contributors to

polluted outdoor air.

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They add gases, acids, dirt, dust, germs and ozone to the air.

These foreign substances burden the whole body, especially the

respiratory tract.

3 Jacob, D. J. (1999, updated 2004). Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry: Measures of atmospheric composition.
Princeton University Press. http://acmg.seas.harvard.edu/people/faculty/djj/book/bookchap1.html.
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 Air—The Breath of Life (v. 2)

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Some of the body’s reactions to air pollution include:

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burning eyes, runny nose, headache, coughing, fatigue, increased
incidence of asthma attacks, and even some diseases.4

©Corbis #GOV0086

The exhaust fumes from this vehicle are visible, but most
pollution comes from invisible gases.

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Vehicle pollution affects the respiratory tract, making it more

susceptible to the pollens that cause hay fever and asthma attacks.
Pollution also changes the pollen itself, making it more irritating. 5

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We can try to protect ourselves by using masks. This method
won’t keep out the gases, but it does help filter out the dust, dirt
and germs. In some countries, it is common to wear surgical
masks in heavy traffic.

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Worldwide, respiratory problems such as…

4 Physicians for Social Responsibility. (2014). Air Pollution and Primary Care Medicine.
http://www.psr.org/chapters/boston/health-and-environment/air-pollution-and-primary.html
5 D'Amato, G., Liccardi, G., D'Amato, M., & Cazzola, M. (2002). Outdoor air pollution, climatic changes and allergic
bronchial asthma. European Respiratory Journal. doi: 10.1183/09031936.02.00401402. ERJ vol. 20 no. 3 763-776.
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 Air—The Breath of Life (v. 2)

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asthma, allergies, bronchitis and emphysema are increasing at an
alarming rate, especially in urban areas.

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Buildings, old or new, both commercial and residential, that are
poorly ventilated may harbor dangerous air. Let’s look at some of
the possible causes.6

©Corbis #WDC0084

Fireplaces, gas and kerosene stoves or other portable heating

systems can produce poisonous gases.

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Open flames for cooking and heating give off many toxins and
were responsible for over 4 million deaths worldwide in 2012.7
They can damage the respiratory tract, causing lung cancer,
pneumonia, blindness, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease), strokes, heart disease, and many more serious
illnesses.7,8
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The air from musty, dusty bedding, fabrics, wall coverings,
upholstery, and carpet can also be irritating to some people.

©Corel #190084

6 Environmental Protection Agency. (2013). An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). http://www.epa.gov/iaq/ia-
intro.html
7 World Health Organization. (2014). Household air pollution and health. Fact sheet N°292.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs292/en/.
8 Environmental Protection Agency. (2014). Clean Cookstove Research. http://www.epa.gov/research/airscience/air-
cleancookstove.htm.
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When buildings are damp, due to poor drainage around the house
or a lack of air circulation, mold and fungus may grow. These can
cause respiratory illnesses.9

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How can you protect yourself and your family?

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Move to the country
Consider moving to a less polluted place. Remember, it is nature
itself that helps to clean and revitalize air.

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Circulate fresh air
Open the windows and air out your house on a regular basis,10 if the
air pollution is not too severe outside.11

Open at least two windows for cross ventilation. In the winter it

©Rubberball #V3_68 may seem a waste of heat, but you will be rewarded with better
health.
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Use houseplants
Bring nature inside by keeping houseplants. They provide needed
oxygen, and help remove carbon dioxide and many pollutants from
the air.12

©Stockbyte 18171WLS
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Sleep with the window open
Sleep with an open window (if smog is not too severe)11. You’ll
wake up feeling more refreshed.
9 World Health Organization. (2009). WHO Guidelines for Inner Air Quality: Dampness and Mould.
http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/43325/E92645.pdf
10 United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality.
http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Guides/Home/The-Inside-Story-A-Guide-to-Indoor-Air-Quality/
11 Leonard, R. (2014). Dr Rosemary Leonard on how to survive the smog: Stay indoors and avoid exercise. Express: Home
of the Daily and Sunday Express. http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/468267/Facts-about-air-pollution-and-
health-Stay-indoors-use-reliever-inhalers-avoid-exercise
12 Claudio, L. (2011). Planting Healthier Indoor Air. Environmental Health Perspectives. 119(10): a426–a427.
Published online Oct 1, 2011. doi: 10.1289/ehp.119-a426. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3230460/
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 Air—The Breath of Life (v. 2)

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Use air conditioners wisely
Clean the air ducts and filters on your cooling and heating system
regularly. Where the air is pure outside, adjusting the settings to
“fresh air” for short periods of time will help to bring in pure,
fresh air from the outside.13
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Vent appliances
Be sure to vent to the outside all gas, oil, kerosene, wood or coal
burning appliances. Smoke or fumes contain dangerous gases.14

©Wildwood Lifestyle Center

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Ban indoor smoking
Ban smoking indoors and avoid side-stream smoke. Tobacco
smoke contains hundreds of toxins which are dangerous not only to
the one smoking, but to others breathing the smoke as well.15

©ADM
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Eat protective foods
Studies suggest that the generous consumption of fruits and
vegetables, which are high in antioxidants, may help prevent the
damaging effects of pollution on the body, especially in the lungs.
Be sure to get some at each meal.16
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There are several factors that hinder the
oxygen supply to the body:

13 City Water and Light, Jonesboro, AR. Operate Your Air Conditioner Efficiently. http://www.jonesborocwl.org/view/159.
14 Greiner, T. (2014). Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Unvented Gas Space Heating Appliances (AEN-204). Iowa State
University College of Engineering and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. http://www.abe.iastate.edu/extension-
and-outreach/carbon-monoxide-poisoning-unvented-gas-space-heating-appliances-aen-204/
15 Environmental Protection Agency. (2011). Health Effects of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke.
http://www.epa.gov/smokefree/healtheffects.html.
16 Keranis, E., Makris, D., Rodopoulou, P., Martinou, H., Papamakarios, G. Daniil, Z., et al. (2010). Impact of dietary shift
to higher-antioxidant foods in COPD: a randomised trial. European Respiratory Journal.
http://www.erj.ersjournals.com/content/36/4/774.full.pdf+html?sid=0e35b9ce-5d5c-41ea-bf1d-0e99d802f765. DOI:
10.1183/09031936.00113809.
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 Air—The Breath of Life (v. 2)

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Eating high-fat foods can reduce the oxygen level in our blood.17,18

©John Foxx #FOL1949, #FOL2018; ©Photodisc

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Notice the difference between these two pictures. After eating
food that is high in fat, the blood is thicker and tends to clump
together. It can no longer carry oxygen into the smaller arteries
as efficiently.

©Wildwood Lifestyle Center

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Smoking
This smoker’s lung is polluted with tar and smoke. Obviously,
any exchange of oxygen is going to be somewhat impaired. At the
same time, the blood vessels throughout the smoker’s body were
constricted because of the nicotine in the tobacco. This limits the
circulation of the blood needed to nourish the cells and keep them
©Corbis #GOV0069, ©G. T. Hewlett
healthy.
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Alcohol
Consuming alcohol also hinders oxygen supply in two ways:

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it depresses breathing19 and

17 Columbia University Medical Center. (2012, October 9). New link between high-fat 'Western' diet and atherosclerosis
identified. Science Daily. Retrieved July 23, 2014 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121009131511.htm.
18 Cicha, I., Suzuki, Y., Tateishi, N., & Maeda N. (2004). Effects of dietary triglycerides on rheological properties of
human red blood cells (abstract). Clin Hemorheol Microcirc. 2004;30(3-4):301-5.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15258358.
19Palo Alto Medical Foundation: Sutter Health. (2014). Alcohol Effects on Your Body.
http://www.pamf.org/teen/risk/alcohol/effectonbody.html
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impairs the circulation.20

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Dehydration
Drinking insufficient amounts of water keeps the blood from
flowing freely21 and allows impurities to accumulate.

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Tight clothes, belts or waistbands restrict the lungs from
expanding fully and hinder healthy circulation, thus decreasing
the delivery of oxygen to the body.

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Poor Posture
People with poor posture tend to slump. This prevents the lungs
from expanding fully and starves the vital organs of their essential
oxygen supply.

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Incorrect breathing
Babies automatically breathe correctly, but many adults don’t;
they use only the top part of the lung.

Check yourself.

20 In.gov. Indiana State Personnell Department. Basic information about alcohol and controlled substances. Retrieved July
23, 2014 from http://www.in.gov/spd/files/basicinfo_acs.pdf.
21Holsworth, R. E., Cho, Y. I., & Weidman, J. (2013). Effect of hydration on whole blood viscosity in firefighters. Altern
Ther Health Med. 19(4):44-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23981371.

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 Air—The Breath of Life (v. 2)
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Notice this slide and the next one.
When we breathe properly, the lungs expand outward and
downward. When we exhale, we should exhale fully, emptying
the lungs as much as possible.

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As a result, the abdomen rises and falls with every breath.

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Take some deep breaths when you wake up in the morning and
several times during the day. When you feel fatigued, and after
sitting for more than 30 minutes, stand up and take time for
several deep breaths; you’ll find it refreshing.

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Singing and playing wind instruments are excellent ways of
increasing oxygen exchange and invigorating the entire system.

©Stockbyte #8665XM2; ©Corbis Stock Market

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Enjoy nature’s threesome: fresh air, sunshine and exercise. These
are God’s vitalizing gifts.

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Give yourself a shot of vitalized oxygen and a dose of energizing
sunshine. Do some kind of physical exercise outdoors every day
and preferably in nature, where the air is the cleanest.

The Scriptures offer this encouragement:

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“He has made the earth by his power…

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 Air—The Breath of Life (v. 2)

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He has established the world by His wisdom…

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He makes the lightning for the rain…

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He brings winds out of His treasury.”
Jeremiah 10:12,13
Without a doubt, fresh air is a special blessing from God—one
that imparts an invigorating influence on the entire body. Why not
do everything you can to make the most of God’s gift—fresh air!
©Photodisc #AA013709

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