Indoor Air Purification Significantly Improves Respiratory Health of Children, reports JAMA study

The study found significant improvements in respiratory health during the true air purification period:

• Reduction in PM2.5 Exposure: Time-weighted personal PM2.5 concentration decreased by 45.14%, from 39.17 µg/m³ (sham purification) to 21.49 µg/m³ (true air purification).

Improved Pulmonary Function:

• Forced expiratory volume in 1 second increased by 8.04% (95% CI, 2.15%-13.93%).

• Peak expiratory flow improved by 16.52% (95% CI, 2.76%-30.28%).

• Forced vital capacity rose by 5.73% (95% CI, 0.48%-10.98%).

• FEF25%-75% enhanced by 17.22% (95% CI, 3.78%-30.67%).

• Peak expiratory flow at 75% FVC was increased by 14.60% (95% CI, 0.35%-28.85%).

• Peak expiratory flow at 50% FVC increased by 17.86% (95% CI, 3.65%-32.06%).

• Peak expiratory flow at 25% FVC increased by 18.22% (95% CI, 1.73%-34.70%).

• Anti-Inflammatory: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide reduced by 22.38% (95% CI, 2.27%-42.48%).

Metabolic Mediation: The metabolites L-tyrosine and β-alanine were among those found to be the respiratory benefit mediators.

This clinical trial demonstrated that multisetting air purification significantly improves respiratory health in children by enhancing pulmonary function and reducing airway inflammation. The findings advocate for broader adoption of air purification interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution on pediatric populations.

Reference:

Lei J, Sun Q, Chen R, et al. Respiratory Benefits of Multisetting Air Purification in Children: A Cluster Randomized Crossover Trial. JAMA Pediatr. Published online December 02, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.5049