Indoor Air Purification Significantly Improves Respiratory Health of Children, reports JAMA study
Researchers have found improvements in the respiratory health of children due to indoor air purification, which would be highly relevant in areas with high pollution. It has long been documented that particulate matter of size 2.5µm (PM2.5) is harmful to respiratory health in children, although the benefit of air purification on pulmonary health has not yet been clearly understood. A recent study was published in JAMA Pediatrics journal conducted by Jian Lie and colleagues in China.
The study was conducted in 79 healthy children aged 10-12 years, between April and December 2021. Each participant received two-stage intervention: true air purification and sham purification, lasting for 76 days each with an 88-day washout period in between. Personal PM2.5 exposure levels and respiratory health outcomes were measured before and after each intervention. Improvements were analyzed with the use of linear mixed-effects models while metabolomics analysis identified the EBC metabolites that mediate the effects.
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
