The effect of portable HEPA filter air cleaner use during pregnancy on fetal growth: The UGAAR randomized controlled trial

Barn, Prabjit; Gombojav, Enkhjargal; Оchir, Chimedsuren; Boldbaatar, Buyantushig; Beejin, Bolor; Naidan, Gerel; Galsuren, Jargalsaikhan; Legtseg, Bayarkhuu; Byambaa, Tsogtbaatar; Hutcheon, Jennifer A.; Janes, Craig R.; Janssen, Patricia A.; Lanphear, Bruce P.; McCandless, Lawrence C.; Takaro, Tim K.; Venners, Scott A.; Webster, Glenys M.; Allen, Ryan

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2018.08.036

Cited by 38 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 40 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…As the participants in this study were all part of a trial of portable HEPA cleaners a favorable attitude is not surprising. Previous studies have found HEPA cleaners to be effective in reducing indoor concentrations of wildfire smoke ( 33 , 34 ). Observations from this study suggest that more research is needed to improve and refine the evidence base for a range of interventions for health protection during severe air pollution events.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Public Health Messaging During Extreme Smoke Events: Are We Hitting the Mark?

Marfori

Campbell

Garvey³

et al. 2020

Front. Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Emergency services working to protect communities from harm during wildfires aim to provide regular public advisories on the hazards from fire and smoke. However, there are few studies evaluating the success of public health communications regarding the management of smoke exposure. We explored the responses to smoke-related health advisories of people living in a severely smoke-affected region during extensive wildfires in Tasmania, Australia early in 2019. We also evaluated the acceptability of portable high efficiency particle air (HEPA) cleaners used in study participant's homes during the smoky period. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 24 households in the Huon Valley region of Tasmania following a severe smoke episode. These households were initially recruited into a HEPA cleaner study. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for common themes using an inductive framework approach. Results: Public health messaging during the 2019 wildfire event in Tasmania was widely shared and understood, with social media playing a central role. However, some participants expressed concerns about the timeliness and effectiveness of the recommended interventions, and some would have appreciated more detailed information about the health risks from smoke. Public messages and actions to protect households from wildfire threat were, at times, contradictory or dominated in coverage over the smoke messaging, and many participants were conflicted with the multiple public messages and action relating to the more serious perceived threat from the fire. Conclusions: Public messaging about smoke and health should continue to use multiple avenues of communication, with a focus on simple messages provided through social media. Messaging about the smoke hazard should be available from a trusted central source regarding all aspects of the wildfire emergency, with links to more detailed information including local air quality data alongside interpretation of the associated health risks.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Public Health Messaging During Extreme Smoke Events: Are We Hitting the Mark?

Marfori

Campbell

Garvey³

et al. 2020

Front. Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Thus, while this study is suggestive of potential reductions in exposure and associated health benefits, these must to confirmed in the field. One such study is underway in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where wintertime ambient PM 2.5 concentrations often exceed those of Delhi [54,55,56]. Another limitation of this study is that some of our assumptions may not fully reflect the building environment in urban Delhi and the variabilities in population behaviors, due to lack of building stock data and population time–activity pattern data.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling the Impact of an Indoor Air Filter on Air Pollution Exposure Reduction and Associated Mortality in Urban Delhi Household

Liao

Pillarisetti

et al. 2019

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Indoor exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a prominent health concern. However, few studies have examined the effectiveness of long-term use of indoor air filters for reduction of PM2.5 exposure and associated decrease in adverse health impacts in urban India. We conducted 20 simulations of yearlong personal exposure to PM2.5 in urban Delhi using the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s CONTAM program (NIST, Gaithersburg, MD, USA). Simulation scenarios were developed to examine different air filter efficiencies, use schedules, and the influence of a smoker at home. We quantified associated mortality reductions with Household Air Pollution Intervention Tool (HAPIT, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA). Without an air filter, we estimated an annual mean PM2.5 personal exposure of 103 µg/m3 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 93, 112) and 137 µg/m3 (95% CI: 125, 149) for households without and with a smoker, respectively. All day use of a high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) filter would reduce personal PM2.5 exposure to 29 µg/m3 and 30 µg/m3, respectively. The reduced personal PM2.5 exposure from air filter use is associated with 8–37% reduction in mortality attributable to PM2.5 pollution in Delhi. The findings of this study indicate that air filter may provide significant improvements in indoor air quality and result in health benefits.

show abstract

“…The earliest effects of air pollution on the human body may occur in utero, and air pollution exposure during pregnancy causes low birth weight. It has been documented that the use of indoor air lters in chronically polluted areas reduces levels of PM 2.5 leading to an increase in newborn weight by an average of 80 grams and an increase in height of 0.4 cm [12]. Air pollution in Ulaanbaatar is directly associated with pediatric respiratory diseases.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Untitled

2019

Cent Asian J Med Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives: This research aimed to better understand how exposure to high levels of winter air pollution may be affecting the health of children living in areas where housing is predominantly ger type traditional homes and houses compared to those living in areas where housing is predominantly apartments in Ulaanbaatar. The objective of the research was to study the differences in health and missed school days in children from these areas. Methods: Data were gathered from 36 childcare centers (kindergartens), schools and primary centers and interviews conducted among 148 individuals in three districts of Ulaanbaatar namely Chingeltei, Songinokhairkhan and Khan-uul. The study was performed between October 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015. Results: This study revealed that at the beginning of the study, the rate of children reported to be sick was about the same for both ger and apartment district primary schools, however by the end of the study the number of children reported sick each day living in predominantly gers and cabins was more than reported in apartment districts, that is, about 4 per 10,000 in apartment districts vs about 7 per 10,000 in ger districts. At the end of the study, rates of sickness reported was 5 to 6 times higher in children in childcare centers compared to children attending in primary schools regardless of where they lived. Conclusion: This study suggests that air pollution is not only affecting children's health, but also affecting their education in Ulaanbaatar.

show abstract

The effect of portable HEPA filter air cleaner use during pregnancy on fetal growth: The UGAAR randomized controlled trial

Abstract: HEPA filter air cleaner use in a high pollution setting was associated with greater birth weight only among babies born at term.

Cited by 38 publications

References 40 publications

Public Health Messaging During Extreme Smoke Events: Are We Hitting the Mark?

Public Health Messaging During Extreme Smoke Events: Are We Hitting the Mark?

Modeling the Impact of an Indoor Air Filter on Air Pollution Exposure Reduction and Associated Mortality in Urban Delhi Household

Untitled

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About