'Breathing Space' author Gregg Mitman on allergy epidemic
Silver Burr ragweed (Ambrosia chamissonis), one of the many ragweeds that affect over 50 million people in the U.S. alone. Photo: National Park Service
Allergies, in the U.S. alone, affect over 50 million people. A new book looks at their history. It’s called Breathing Space, How Allergies Shape Our Lives and Landscapes.
Jorge Salazar spoke with author Gregg Mitman, professor of history of science at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Mitman spoke talked about the ecological relationships between people and place that give rise to allergies, and whether we’re likely to find a “silver bullet” in the form of a pill to cure them.
