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Chemistry For Your Life

Are we breathing recycled air on airplanes?

05 Jun 2025

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#212 Melissa and Jam explore the concept of ozone and its impact on air quality in airplanes. Melissa explains the chemical reaction of ozone, why it's significant in organic chemistry, and how it can lead to discomfort in air travel by interacting with the oils on our skin. They also discuss various tips for flying and the potential benefits of noise-canceling headphones and lounge access for frequent flyers. The episode sheds light on why people often feel unwell on planes, highlighting the Pigpen Effect, where leftover oils from previous passengers can react with ozone to create a micro-cloud of pollutants. 00:00 Introduction to Ozone Lysis 00:09 Ozone Lysis in Organic Chemistry 00:25 Personal Anecdotes and Misconceptions 01:10 Ozone and Airplane Discomfort 01:49 Chemistry of Airplane Air 02:41 Ozone Lysis and Human Interaction 06:44 Catalytic Converters in Airplanes 11:58 The Pigpen Effect 16:50 Historical Context and Modern Concerns 18:38 Recap and Further Discussion 20:23 Understanding the Pigpen Effect 20:58 Chemical Reactions of Aldehydes and Ketones 22:11 Volatility and Airplane Air Quality 22:42 The Gross Reality of Airplane Seats 23:31 Airplane Hygiene and Mask-Wearing 25:08 Flying Tips and Tricks 29:54 Travel Credit Cards and Lounge Access 34:36 Sleeping on Planes and Noise-Canceling Headphones 37:43 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★ Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife References from this episode: https://cen.acs.org/safety/consumer-safety/Periodic-Graphics-chemistry-airplane-air/102/i26 https://www.acs.org/catalyzing-change/when-a-good-relationship-turns-toxic-ozone-on-airplanes.html https://pubs-acs-org.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/full/10.1021/es3046795 https://youtu.be/hM9P1_Xuayk?t=107s https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/cer/OzonePassengerCabins.pdf https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/cer/OzonePassengerCabins.pdf https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3683839/ Thanks to our monthly supporters Vince W Julie S. Heather R Autoclave Chelsea M Dorien VD Scott B Jessie R Ciara L J0HNTR0Y Jeannette N Cullyn R Erica B Elizabeth P Sarah M Rachel R Letila Katrina B Suzanne P Venus R Lyn S Jacob T Brian K Emerson W Kristina G Timothy P Steven B Chris and Claire S Chelsea B Avishai B Hunter R ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★ Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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