About this episode
What’s really in your water, food, and air? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Amy Shah sits down with her former mentor and world-renowned public health expert, Dr. Howard Hu, to unpack the hidden dangers in our environment that most people overlook. With a storied career at Harvard, the University of Michigan, and now USC, Dr. Hu has spent decades at the forefront of environmental health research. Together, he and Dr. Shah explore hot-button topics like the link between fluoride and childhood IQ, how heavy metals like lead seep into our daily lives, and what the latest science really says about long Covid and multiple chemical sensitivity. Dr. Hu also opens up about his personal journey through academia, the challenges of scientific controversy, and the real-world advice he gives to families trying to make safer choices. Whether you’re a parent, a health advocate, or just want to better understand how science shapes the world around you, this is a powerful, must-hear conversation. Episode Highlights 00:00 Fluoride's Impact on Children's IQ 09:01 Fluoride's Effective Use for Teeth 16:19 Consequences of Lead Exposure 21:14 Isolated High Exposure to Lead 25:14 Preventable Economic Issues in Informal Sector 32:03 Mitigating Lead Exposure: Lifestyle Changes 35:59 Long COVID Clinic at USC 43:38 "Exploring Multiple Chemical Sensitivity" 45:21 The Challenge of MCS Recognition 53:27 Gratitude for Career-Shaping Mentorship 56:55 Deadly Risks of Asbestos Exposure 01:05:37 The Importance of Public Health 01:07:21 Gratitude for Public Health Leadership More from Dr. Howard Hu LinkedIn Let's Stay Connected! Get your free starter guide Shop the Chai Protein + Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Youtube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices