Al Haddrell (@ukhadds) / X

Al Haddrell

9,520 posts

Al Haddrell

@ukhadds

Aerosol scientist/Aerobiologist, Canadian and #Canucks fan living in the UK. #eurovision enthusiast. I’m also at: bsky.app/profile/ukhadd…

Bristol, England

Joined June 2015

Pinned
Al Haddrell
@ukhadds
Jun 22, 2023
I’m proud to have our latest research published on how long #SARSCoV2 remains infectious while airborne! We studied the fundamental processes that drive the loss of viral infectivity in the aerosol phase. #COVIDisAirborne Here’s a thread going over some of the findings.
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Al Haddrell
@ukhadds
Jun 21, 2025
Since there is talk about bringing back ASBESTOS (this is somehow true), I thought it would be useful to describe just some what happens to you when you breath this stuff into your lungs. In short, it’s terrible. A 🧵
4.2M
Al Haddrell
@ukhadds
Jun 21, 2025
Replying to @ukhadds
Inhalation of asbestos fibers will directly damage your lungs. Over time, this can lead to conditions such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and the appropriately named Asbestosis. But how?
218K
Al Haddrell
@ukhadds
Jun 21, 2025
Replying to @ukhadds
What is asbestos? Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals. There are 6 types: Chrysotile, Amosite, Crocidolite, Tremolite, Actinolite and Anthophyllite. They have some useful properties (including heat resistance, strength, durability and well insulating)
236K
Al Haddrell
@ukhadds
Jun 21, 2025
Replying to @ukhadds
Because of these physical properties, humans have been using asbestos for thousands of years for a variety of purposes. In the 20th century, it began to be used as a building material. In the 1970s, the health risks associated with asbestos exposure began to be recognized.
232K
Al Haddrell
@ukhadds
Jun 26, 2024
Given that the COVID numbers are on the rise, I thought I’d it useful to share some our research team’s work looking at the interplay between CO2, aerosol, SARS-CoV-2, and airborne transmission. 🧵
300K
Al Haddrell
@ukhadds
Jun 21, 2025
Replying to @ukhadds
Lungs don’t recover, and the long-term damage is additive. Asbestos was banned for a reason. The adverse health effects resulting from exposure is horrific. If they end up bringing it back, I’d suggest stocking up on masks….
78K
Al Haddrell
@ukhadds
Aug 9, 2025
In AUGUST, before school starts. This doesn’t have to happen.
CBS News
@CBSNews
Aug 8, 2025
COVID levels rising in much of U.S., with highest in West, CDC says. cbsn.ws/47j4fzV
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Al Haddrell
@ukhadds
Oct 10, 2025
Presenteeism: the act of coming to work while sick. This isn’t a virtue. If you come to work ill, you are not a hero. You’re an assh*le.
55K
Al Haddrell
@ukhadds
Jun 21, 2025
Replying to @ukhadds
Asbestos fibers are small (~0.1 to 10 microns in length). Due to their size, they are readily inhaled. Given their size, and how aerosol deposit, they can deposit anywhere in the respiratory system I discussed how aerosol deposits in the lungs in a video:
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Al Haddrell
@ukhadds
Jun 21, 2025
Replying to @ukhadds
The respiratory system has various strategies to deal with inhaled particulates and pathogens. For example, cilia (tiny hairs in the airways) can move particles deposited in the mucous of the upper airways and transport them to the throat where they are swallowed, limiting harm.
00:00
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Al Haddrell
@ukhadds
Mar 20, 2025
It’s the 5 year anniversary of one of the most baseless and idiotic predictions of all time. Whenever they claim “the scientists got it all wrong”, remember what they were predicting.
71K
Al Haddrell
@ukhadds
Jun 21, 2025
Replying to @ukhadds
Another tool the body uses are to protect the lungs are macrophages. Macrophages are white blood cells that engulf and digest pathogens that deposit in the lungs. They are great at fighting off bacteria infection, and will also engulf particulate air pollution.
172K
Al Haddrell
@ukhadds
Jul 5, 2025
Turns out, letting COVID tear through the schools was a bad idea. A decision that will affect all of us for the next century.
55K