Abstract
Indoor air quality (IAQ) impacts asthmatic children's health. Previous research suggests that individual interventions such as home-based education and IAQ
management positively impact health outcomes for asthma and other respiratory diseases. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the combination of homebased education and IAQ management with an air purifier as a single intervention, rather than individual interventions, to improve health outcomes of
asthmatic children.
This study was conducted between June and November 2019 in McAllen, Texas. Foobot devices were used to monitor the temperature, relative humidity, particulate matter 2.5μm (PM2.5), and total Volatile Organic Compounds (tVOC) in the bedroom, kitchen, and living room of 13 homes. The monitoring was carried into phases of equal length of pre- and post-intervention. Families received asthma education together with recommendations on how to manage and improve IAQ. The children's health outcomes were evaluated at the beginning and end of the study using certified surveys. Comparison of the PM2.5 and tVOC levels and the scores for health outcomes were made between pre-and post-intervention.
The results showed that PM2.5 and tVOC levels reduced significantly after intervention. The health outcomes were improved in asthmatic children.
However, only the difference in the health-related quality of life was statistically significant. The results cannot be generalised; however, they provide evidence
of the combined intervention's impact, including asthma education and IAQ management, with an air purifier to improve asthmatic children's health outcomes.
management positively impact health outcomes for asthma and other respiratory diseases. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the combination of homebased education and IAQ management with an air purifier as a single intervention, rather than individual interventions, to improve health outcomes of
asthmatic children.
This study was conducted between June and November 2019 in McAllen, Texas. Foobot devices were used to monitor the temperature, relative humidity, particulate matter 2.5μm (PM2.5), and total Volatile Organic Compounds (tVOC) in the bedroom, kitchen, and living room of 13 homes. The monitoring was carried into phases of equal length of pre- and post-intervention. Families received asthma education together with recommendations on how to manage and improve IAQ. The children's health outcomes were evaluated at the beginning and end of the study using certified surveys. Comparison of the PM2.5 and tVOC levels and the scores for health outcomes were made between pre-and post-intervention.
The results showed that PM2.5 and tVOC levels reduced significantly after intervention. The health outcomes were improved in asthmatic children.
However, only the difference in the health-related quality of life was statistically significant. The results cannot be generalised; however, they provide evidence
of the combined intervention's impact, including asthma education and IAQ management, with an air purifier to improve asthmatic children's health outcomes.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Publication status | Published - 23 Jun 2021 |
| Event | Healthy Buildings Europe 2021 - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway Duration: 21 Jun 2021 → 23 Jun 2021 |
Conference
| Conference | Healthy Buildings Europe 2021 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Norway |
| City | Oslo |
| Period | 21/06/21 → 23/06/21 |
Keywords
- indoor air quality
- asthmatic children
- asthma education
- respiratory illness