scholarly journals Effects of the Use of Air Purifier on Indoor Environment and Respiratory System among Healthy Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 3687
Author(s):  
Yoshiko Yoda ◽  
Kenji Tamura ◽  
Sho Adachi ◽  
Naruhito Otani ◽  
Shoji F. Nakayama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Pulmonary Function ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Healthy Adults ◽  
Air Purification ◽  
Aerodynamic Diameter ◽  
Air Purifier ◽  
Indoor Pm2.5

Air purifiers have become popular among ordinary families. However, it remains controversial whether indoor air purification improves the respiratory health of healthy adults. A randomized crossover intervention study was conducted with 32 healthy individuals. The subjects were categorized into two groups. One group continuously used true air purifiers, and the other followed with sham air purifiers for 4 weeks. Following this first intervention, all the subjects underwent a 4-week washout period and continued with the second 4-week intervention with the alternate air purifiers. We collected fine particulate matter (PM) ≤ 2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5), coarse particulate matter between 2.5 and 10 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10–2.5) and ozone (O3). The subjects’ pulmonary function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were measured during the study period. The indoor PM2.5 concentrations decreased by 11% with the true air purifiers compared to those with sham air purifiers. However, this decrease was not significant (p = 0.08). The air purification did not significantly improve the pulmonary function of the study subjects. In contrast, an increase in the indoor PM10–2.5 and O3 concentration led to a significant decrease in the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0)/forced vital capacity (FVC) and maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), respectively. In conclusion, air purification slightly improved the indoor PM2.5 concentrations in ordinary homes but had no demonstrable impact on improving health.

scholarly journals Reduction in Indoor Airborne Endotoxin Concentration by the Use of Air Purifier and Its Relationship with Respiratory Health: A Randomized Crossover Intervention Study

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1523
Author(s):  
Yoshiko Yoda ◽  
Kenji Tamura ◽  
Naruhito Otani ◽  
Hideki Hasunuma ◽  
Shoji F. Nakayama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Pulmonary Function ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Intervention Study ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Household Characteristics ◽  
Endotoxin Concentration ◽  
Air Purifier ◽  
Household Members

Endotoxins are biological components of particulate matter that cause adverse respiratory system effects. Recently, air purifiers have been widely used; however, their effects on endotoxins are not fully understood. We conducted a randomized crossover intervention study to evaluate the effects of air purifiers on indoor endotoxins and occupants’ respiratory health. Thirty-two healthy subjects were randomly assigned to two groups; each group spent four weeks using either a true or sham (filter removed) air purifier. Subsequently, the subjects spent an additional four weeks using the alternative air purifier. The indoor endotoxins in fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10–2.5) particulate matter were continuously collected, and pulmonary function was tested repeatedly during the study period. Household characteristics were assessed using a questionnaire. The geometric mean of the PM2.5 endotoxin concentrations was 0.13 EU/m3, which was significantly lower with true purifiers compared with sham purifiers, after adjusting for household characteristics (0.17 EU/m3). In addition, the PM2.5 endotoxin concentrations were significantly greater in reinforced concrete houses than in wooden houses. The PM10–2.5 endotoxin concentrations were significantly greater in homes with two or more household members, and in those with pets. No association was found between endotoxin concentration and respiratory health among the subjects.

scholarly journals Seasonal Changes in Lung Function in a Farming Population

2000 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 320-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ambikaipakan Senthilselvan ◽  
James A Dosman ◽  
Karen M Semchuk ◽  
Helen H McDuffie ◽  
Allan J Cessna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Function ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Pesticide Exposure ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Farm Residents

OBJECTIVE:To assess the changes in respiratory health from winter to summer seasons in a rural population.DESIGN:A longitudinal design was used in the study.SETTING:A population-based study was conducted as part of the Environmental Pesticide Exposure and Human Health component of the Prairie Ecosystem Study (PECOS) in southwestern Saskatchewan.PATIENTS:In the winter season, 358 patients participated in the study. Of these patients, 234 returned for the second assessment during the summer season. After excluding 34 children aged 17 years and under, 200 adult patients were available for analysis.MEASUREMENTS:Questionnaires were used to obtain information on demographic factors, smoking habits, occupational and environmental exposures, and respiratory conditions. Pulmonary function measurements were obtained using a volume displacement spirometer.RESULTS:Mean ages (± SD) of the 106 men and 94 women participating in the study were 50.1±13.3 and 49.0±13.1 years, respectively. Mean percentage changes in maximal midexpiratory flow rate from winter to summer assessments indicated an improvement for town residents and a decline for farm residents. Mean percentage changes in the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity indicated an improvement for town residents who were not engaged in farming, and increasing declines for town residents engaged in farming, farm residents not engaged in farming and farm residents engaged in farming.CONCLUSIONS:Seasonal changes occurred in measurements of pulmonary function between winter and summer seasons; these changes may be related to the environmental or occupational exposures experienced by the participants during the study.

scholarly journals Effect of Air Purifier Use in the Classrooms on Indoor Air Quality—Case Study

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1606
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Basińska ◽  
Michał Michałkiewicz ◽  
Katarzyna Ratajczak
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Air Purification ◽  
Portable Devices ◽  
Microscopic Fungi ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Air Purifier ◽  
High Level

Dissatisfaction with indoor air quality is common even in relatively new or renovated Polish school buildings. To improve air quality in educational buildings, portable devices have seen increased use, for which manufacturers guarantee a high level of indoor air purification. However, their optimized operation largely depends on their correct use. The aim of this article was to determine the effectiveness of air purification in a primary school using an air purification device with an analysis of the classroom indoor air quality (IAQ). Two criteria were used, microbiological and particulate matter concentration. Measurements were made before device installation and during its continuous operation, and before and after lessons on chosen days. Measurements related to IAQ did not detect clear differences in the analyzed measurement periods. For microbiological contamination, in the morning before lessons, the total count for all bacteria and microscopic fungi was definitely lower than after lessons. Comparing the periods before and after device installation, no clear tendency for reducing the bacteria count or microscopic fungi occurred during air purifier operation, nor was there any noticeable trend in the reduction of particulate matter. There was no improvement in air quality in the classrooms during the operation of the purification devices.

scholarly journals Evaluation on Air Purifier’s Performance in Reducing the Concentration of Fine Particulate Matter for Occupants according to its Operation Methods

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (15) ◽  
pp. 5561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyungyu Park ◽  
Seonghyun Park ◽  
Janghoo Seo
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
The Body ◽  
Breathing Zone ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Air Purifier ◽  
Filter Type ◽  
Moving Path ◽  
Operating Method

Fine particulate matter entering the body through breathing cause serious damage to humans. In South Korea, filter-type air purifiers are used to eliminate indoor fine particulate matter, and there has been a broad range of studies on the spread of fine particulate matter and air purifiers. However, earlier studies have not evaluated an operating method of air purifiers considering the inflow of fine particulate matter into the body or reduction performance of the concentration of fine particulate matter. There is a limit to controlling the concentration of fine particulate matter of the overall space where an air purifier is fixed in one spot as the source of indoor fine particulate matter is varied. Accordingly, this study analyzed changes in the concentration of indoor fine particulate matter through an experiment according to the discharging method and location of a fixed air purifier considering the inflow route of fine particulate matter into the body and their harmfulness. The study evaluated the purifiers’ performance in reducing the concentration of fine particulate matter in the occupants’ breathing zone according to the operation method in which a movable air purifier responds to the movement of occupants. The results showed the concentration of fine particulate matter around the breathing zone of the occupants had decreased by about 51 μg/m3 compared to the surrounding concentration in terms of the operating method in which an air purifier tracks occupants in real-time, and a decrease of about 68 μg/m3 in terms of the operating method in which an air purifier controls the zone. On the other hand, a real-time occupant tracking method may face a threshold due to the moving path of an air purifier and changes in the number of occupants. A zone controlling method is deemed suitable as an operating method of a movable air purifier to reduce the concentration of fine particulate matter in the breathing zone of occupants.

Pulmonary Function Changes in Children Associated with Fine Particulate Matter

1993 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.Q. Koenig ◽  
T.V. Larson ◽  
Q.S. Hanley ◽  
V. Rebolledo ◽  
K. Dumler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Pulmonary Function ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Fine Particulate

scholarly journals Low levels of fine particulate matter increase vascular damage and reduce pulmonary function in young healthy adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren H. Wyatt ◽  
Robert B. Devlin ◽  
Ana G. Rappold ◽  
Martin W. Case ◽  
David Diaz-Sanchez
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Pulmonary Function ◽  
Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Human Exposure ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Fine Particulate

Abstract Background Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) related mild inflammation, altered autonomic control of cardiovascular function, and changes to cell function have been observed in controlled human exposure studies. Methods To measure the systemic and cardiopulmonary impacts of low-level PM exposure, we exposed 20 healthy, young volunteers to PM2.5, in the form of concentrated ambient particles (mean: 37.8 μg/m3, SD 6.5), and filtered air (mean: 2.1 μg/m3, SD 2.6). In this double-blind, crossover study the exposure order was randomized. During the 4 h exposure, volunteers (7 females and 13 males) underwent light intensity exercise to regulate ventilation rate. We measured pulmonary, cardiac, and hematologic end points before exposure, 1 h after exposure, and again 20 h after exposure. Results Low-level PM2.5 resulted in both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary changes characterized by alterations in systematic inflammation markers, cardiac repolarization, and decreased pulmonary function. A mean increase in PM2.5 concentration (37.8 μg/m3) significantly increased serum amyloid A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), 1 h after exposure by 8.7, 9.1, 10.7, and 6.6%, respectively, relative to the filtered air control. SAA remained significantly elevated (34.6%) 20 h after PM2.5 exposure which was accompanied by a 5.7% decrease in percent neutrophils. Decreased pulmonary function was observed 1 h after exposure through a 0.8 and 1.2% decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and FEV1/ forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) respectively. Additionally, sex specific changes were observed in repolarization outcomes following PM2.5 exposure. In males, P-wave and QRS complex were increased by 15.4 and 5.4% 1 h after exposure. Conclusions This study is the first controlled human exposure study to demonstrate biological effects in response to exposure to concentrated ambient air PM2.5 particles at levels near the PM2.5 US NAAQS standard. Clinical trial registration information clinicaltrials.gov; Identifier: NCT03232086. The study was registered retrospectively on July 25, 2017, prior to final data collection on October 25, 2017 and data analysis.

scholarly journals Measurements of Indoor and Outdoor Fine Particulate Matter during the Heating Period in Jinan, in North China: Chemical Composition, Health Risk, and Source Apportionment

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 885
Author(s):  
Xiaomei Gao ◽  
Weidong Gao ◽  
Xiaoyan Sun ◽  
Wei Jiang ◽  
Ziyi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
North China ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Chemical Components ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Outdoor Environments ◽  
Indoor And Outdoor Environments ◽  
Indoor Pm2.5 ◽  
Indoor And Outdoor

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was simultaneously collected from the indoor and outdoor environments in urban area of Jinan in North China from November to December 2018 to evaluate the characteristics and sources of indoor PM2.5 pollution. The concentrations of indoor and outdoor PM2.5 were 69.0 ± 50.5 µg m−3 and 128.7 ± 67.9 µg m−3, respectively, much higher than the WHO-established 24-h standards for PM2.5, indicating serious PM2.5 pollution of indoor and outdoor environments in urban Jinan. SO42−, NO3−, NH4+, and organic carbon (OC) were the predominant components, which accounted for more than 60% of the PM2.5 concentration. The total elemental risk values in urban Jinan for the three highly vulnerable groups of population (children (aged 2–6 years and 6–12 years) and older adults (≥70 years)) were nearly 1, indicating that exposure to all of the elements in PM2.5 had potential non-carcinogenic risks to human health. Further analyses of the indoor/outdoor concentration ratios, infiltration rates (FINF), and indoor-generated concentration (Cig) indicated that indoor PM2.5 and its major chemical components (SO42−, NO3−, NH4+, OC, and elemental carbon) were primarily determined by outdoor pollution. The lower indoor NO3−/SO42− ratio and FINF of NO3− relative to the outdoor values were due to the volatility of NO3−. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was performed to estimate the sources of PM2.5 using the combined datasets of indoor and outdoor environments and revealed that secondary aerosols, dust, cement production, and coal combustion/metal smelting were the major sources during the sampling period.

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