Particle concentrations and effectiveness of free-standing air filters in bedrooms of children with asthma in Detroit,Michigan |
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Authors: | Liuliu Du Stuart Batterman Edith Parker Christopher Godwin Jo-Yu Chin Ashley O’Toole Thomas Robins Wilma Brakefield-Caldwell Toby Lewis |
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Affiliation: | 1. Donghua University, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai 201620, China;2. University of Michigan, School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA;3. University of Iowa, College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, USA;4. Community Action Against Asthma, Community Partner at Large, Detroit, MI, USA |
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Abstract: | Asthma can be exacerbated by environmental factors including airborne particulate matter (PM) and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). We report on a study designed to characterize PM levels and the effectiveness of filters on pollutant exposures of children with asthma. 126 households with an asthmatic child in Detroit, Michigan, were recruited and randomized into control or treatment groups. Both groups received asthma education; the latter also received a free-standing high efficiency air filter placed in the child’s bedroom. Information regarding the home, emission sources, and occupant activities was obtained using surveys administered to the child’s caregiver and a household inspection. Over a one week period, we measured PM, carbon dioxide (CO2), environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) tracers, and air exchange rates (AERs). Filters were installed at midweek. Before filter installation, PM concentrations averaged 28 μg m−3, number concentrations averaged 70,777 and 1471 L−1 in 0.3–1.0 and 1–5 μm size ranges, respectively, and the median CO2 concentration was 1018 ppm. ETS tracers were detected in 23 of 38 homes where smoking was unrestricted and occupants included smokers and, when detected, PM concentrations were elevated by an average of 15 μg m−3. Filter use reduced PM concentrations by an average of 69–80%. Simulation models representing location conditions show that filter air flow, room volume and AERs are the key parameters affecting PM removal, however, filters can achieve substantial removal in even "worst" case applications. While PM levels in homes with asthmatic children can be high, levels can be dramatically reduced using filters. |
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Keywords: | Indoor environment Free-standing HEPA air filters Asthmatic children Particulate matter Exposures |
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