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McIntyre AM, Scammell MK, Kinney PL, Khosla K, Benton L, Bongiovanni R, McCannon J, Milando CW. Portable Air Cleaner Usage and Particulate Matter Exposure Reduction in an Environmental Justice Community: A Pilot Study. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSIGHTS 2024; 18:11786302241258587. [PMID: 38863688 PMCID: PMC11165963 DOI: 10.1177/11786302241258587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) exposure is associated with adverse health outcomes, including respiratory illness. A large fraction of exposure to airborne contaminants occurs in the home. This study, conducted over 5 months in a community with high asthma rates (Chelsea, MA, USA), investigated the use of portable air cleaners (PACs) to reduce indoor PM. Seven asthma-affected households participated, receiving a PAC (Austin Air Health Mate HEPA filter), a QuantAQ sensor to measure PM1, PM2.5, PM10 (µg/m3), and a HOBO plug-load data logger to track PAC usage. Results describe hourly and daily PM concentrations and PAC usage for each household. Hourly average PM concentrations decreased when PACs were turned on (vs. when they were turned off) across households during the study period: PM1 decreased by 0.46 µg/m3, PM2.5 decreased by 0.69 µg/m3, and PM10 decreased by 3.22 µg/m3. PAC usage varied for each household, including constant usage in one household and only usage at certain times of day in others. Higher filtration settings led to lower PM, with significant reductions in some, but not all, homes. Our findings highlight some difficulties in implementing household PAC interventions, yet also provide evidence to support household-level interventions to reduce PM and other indoor sources of air pollution. We also highlight academic-community partnerships as contributing to evidence-based solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina M McIntyre
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Madeleine K Scammell
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patrick L Kinney
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kiran Khosla
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Chad W Milando
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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2
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Kouis P, Galanakis E, Michaelidou E, Kinni P, Michanikou A, Pitsios C, Perez J, Achilleos S, Middleton N, Anagnostopoulou P, Dimitriou H, Revvas E, Stamatelatos G, Zacharatos H, Savvides C, Vasiliadou E, Kalivitis N, Chrysanthou A, Tymvios F, Papatheodorou SI, Koutrakis P, Yiallouros PK. Improved childhood asthma control after exposure reduction interventions for desert dust and anthropogenic air pollution: the MEDEA randomised controlled trial. Thorax 2024; 79:495-507. [PMID: 38388489 DOI: 10.1136/thorax-2023-220877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Elevated particulate matter (PM) concentrations of anthropogenic and/or desert dust origin are associated with increased morbidity among children with asthma. OBJECTIVE The Mitigating the Health Effects of Desert Dust Storms Using Exposure-Reduction Approaches randomised controlled trial assessed the impact of exposure reduction recommendations, including indoor air filtration, on childhood asthma control during high desert dust storms (DDS) season in Cyprus and Greece. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTIONS AND SETTING Primary school children with asthma were randomised into three parallel groups: (a) no intervention (controls); (b) outdoor intervention (early alerts notifications, recommendations to stay indoors and limit outdoor physical activity during DDS) and (c) combined intervention (same as (b) combined with indoor air purification with high efficiency particulate air filters in children's homes and school classrooms. Asthma symptom control was assessed using the childhood Asthma Control Test (c-ACT), spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC)) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). RESULTS In total, 182 children with asthma (age; mean=9.5, SD=1.63) were evaluated during 2019 and 2021. After three follow-up months, the combined intervention group demonstrated a significant improvement in c-ACT in comparison to controls (β=2.63, 95% CI 0.72 to 4.54, p=0.007), which was more profound among atopic children (β=3.56, 95% CI 0.04 to 7.07, p=0.047). Similarly, FEV1% predicted (β=4.26, 95% CI 0.54 to 7.99, p=0.025), the need for any asthma medication and unscheduled clinician visits, but not FVC% and FeNO, were significantly improved in the combined intervention compared with controls. CONCLUSION Recommendations to reduce exposure and use of indoor air filtration in areas with high PM pollution may improve symptom control and lung function in children with asthma. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03503812.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panayiotis Kouis
- Respiratory Physiology Laboratory, Medical School, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | | | - Paraskevi Kinni
- Respiratory Physiology Laboratory, Medical School, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Antonis Michanikou
- Respiratory Physiology Laboratory, Medical School, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Constantinos Pitsios
- Respiratory Physiology Laboratory, Medical School, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Souzana Achilleos
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University of Nicosia Medical School, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, School of Health Sciences, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Nicos Middleton
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Chrysanthos Savvides
- Air Quality and Strategic Planning Section, Department of Labour Inspection, Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Emily Vasiliadou
- Air Quality and Strategic Planning Section, Department of Labour Inspection, Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Nikos Kalivitis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Andreas Chrysanthou
- Department of Meteorology, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Filippos Tymvios
- Department of Meteorology, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Heraklion, Cyprus
| | - Stefania I Papatheodorou
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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3
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Ebrahimifakhar A, Poursadegh M, Hu Y, Yuill DP, Luo Y. A systematic review and meta-analysis of field studies of portable air cleaners: Performance, user behavior, and by-product emissions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168786. [PMID: 38008326 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Indoor air quality is important for the health of building occupants, and public interest in controlling indoor airborne pathogens increased dramatically with the COVID-19 pandemic. Pollutant concentrations can be controlled locally using portable air cleaners (sometimes called air purifiers), which allow occupants to apply air cleaning technology to meet their needs in the location and times that they find appropriate. This paper provides a systematic review of scientific literature that describes field studies of the effectiveness of portable air cleaners. Over 500 papers were considered, and 148 were reviewed in detail, to extract 35 specific research results (e.g., particulate removal performance) or characteristics (e.g., type of building). These were aggregated to provide an overview of results and approaches to this type of research, and to provide meta-analyses of the results. The review includes: descriptions of the geographical location of the research; rate of publications over time; types of buildings and occupants in the field study; types of air cleaner technology being tested; pollutants being measured; resulting pollutant removal effectiveness; patterns of usage and potential barriers to usage by occupants; and the potential for by-product emissions in some air cleaner technologies. An example result is that 83 of the 148 papers measured reductions in fine particulates (PM2.5) and found a mean reduction of 49 % with standard deviation of 20 %. The aggregated results were approximately normally distributed, ranging from finding no significant reduction up to a maximum above 90 % reduction. Sixteen of the 148 papers considered gaseous pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone; 36 papers considered biological pollutants, such as bacteria, viruses, pollen, fungi, etc. An important challenge, common to several studies, is that occupants run the air cleaners for shorter periods and on low airflow rate settings, because of concerns about noise, drafts, and electricity cost, which significantly reduces air cleaning effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Ebrahimifakhar
- Delos Labs, Delos, New York, NY 10014, USA; Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 1110 S. 67th Street, Omaha, NE 68182, USA.
| | - Mehrdad Poursadegh
- Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 1110 S. 67th Street, Omaha, NE 68182, USA.
| | - Yifeng Hu
- Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 1110 S. 67th Street, Omaha, NE 68182, USA; Buildings and Transportation Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA.
| | - David P Yuill
- Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 1110 S. 67th Street, Omaha, NE 68182, USA.
| | - Yu Luo
- Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, 500 W. 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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4
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Jung CC, Huang CY, Su HJ, Chen NT, Yeh CL. Impact of agricultural activity on PM 2.5 and its compositions in elementary schools near corn and rice farms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167496. [PMID: 37778567 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural activity is an important source of particulate matter <2.5 μm in size (PM2.5) in rural areas. In Taiwan, many elementary schools are surrounded by farms, and studies investigating the impact of agricultural activity on air quality in schools are required. We collected PM2.5 samples from the classrooms of elementary schools near corn and rice farms during the crop cultivation stages and analyzed their concentrations and compositions to investigate whether agricultural activity affects the schools' air quality. We found that the average ratio of PM2.5/PM10 (<10 μm in particle size) was <0.6 in the school near the corn farm, and that the indoor PM2.5/PM10 ratio was significantly associated (r = 0.93, p < 0.05) with the outdoor ratio. Moreover, the potassium (K) concentration in the school near the corn farm (189.2 ± 119 ng/m3) was higher than that near the rice farm (140.9 ± 116.0 ng/m3). There were higher concentrations of K and crustal elements, and a greater crustal elements/heavy metals ratio, in the school near the corn farm during the sowing and soil covering stages than during other cultivation stages. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) results indicate that agricultural activity was a predominant contributor of PM2.5 in the schools near corn and rice farms, however, PM2.5 from industrial and traffic emissions also affected schools' air quality. In summary, agricultural activity influenced the air quality of schools, especially near the corn farm. Governments should develop air quality management policies to reduce the risk of children suffering exposure to high particle concentrations in these schools and further suggest that the impact of industrial and traffic emissions on air quality also requires attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Cheng Jung
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan.
| | - Chia-Yu Huang
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan.
| | - Huey-Jen Su
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan.
| | - Nai-Tzu Chen
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ling Yeh
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan.
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5
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Yang L, Sun L, Chu W, Zhu Y, Wu G. Study of the Impact of Air Pollution on Convulsions in Children: A Hospital-Based Retrospective Study in Hangzhou, China. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2023; 62:1186-1192. [PMID: 36797840 DOI: 10.1177/00099228231154059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To investigate the relationship between the occurrence of convulsions in children and air pollution in Hangzhou. METHODS From January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020, 775 children admitted with convulsion to the pediatric outpatient clinic of The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University (Hangzhou, China) were enrolled in this study. The clinical data and the corresponding weather data of the day in Hangzhou were collected and analyzed. Also, the monthly etiological classification of convulsions and the monthly average air data of Hangzhou were statistically analyzed. RESULTS The highest incidence of convulsion was observed in children 1 to 2 years old, and higher in boys than in girls. The top three main causes were febrile seizure, benign infantile convulsion with mild gastroenteritis, and epilepsy. Among the meteorological factors, the increase in the level of 2.5 micron particulate matter (PM 2.5) in the air per month led to an increase in the number of patients with febrile seizure, benign infantile convulsion with mild gastroenteritis, and epilepsy, where the increase of ozone in 8 hours (O3-8h) per month led to a decrease in the number of patients with such conditions. CONCLUSIONS PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 are the main meteorological factors affecting the occurrence of convulsions in children in Hangzhou, and PM2.5 and SO2 are risk factors. The increase in the level of PM2.5 in the air per month could increase occurrence of child convulsions, but the increase of O3-8h per month could decrease occurrence of child convulsions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Yang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - LiXia Sun
- Zhejiang University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Chu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - YaFei Zhu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - GuangSheng Wu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
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6
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Zhang Y, Yin X, Zheng X. The relationship between PM2.5 and the onset and exacerbation of childhood asthma: a short communication. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1191852. [PMID: 37593445 PMCID: PMC10429171 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1191852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Much is known about the link between air pollution and asthma in adults, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Studies have found that certain levels of fine PM2.5 can increase airway responsiveness and worsen asthma. PM2.5 may play a role in the onset and exacerbation of childhood asthma. However, there is little in the literature on how PM2.5 affects asthma attacks and exacerbations in children. Asthma is a common chronic disease in children, and air pollution can aggravate it. The effect of PM2.5 on childhood asthma needs further research. By evaluating, reviewing, and collating existing results in this area, this paper aims to explore the relationship between PM2.5 and asthma onset and exacerbation in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- The Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xixi Yin
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- The Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiangrong Zheng
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- The Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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7
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Hu Y, Cheng J, Liu S, Tan J, Yan C, Yu G, Yin Y, Tong S. Evaluation of climate change adaptation measures for childhood asthma: A systematic review of epidemiological evidence. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 839:156291. [PMID: 35644404 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Global climate change (GCC) is widely accepted as the biggest threat to human health of the 21st century. Children are particularly vulnerable to GCC due to developing organ systems, psychological immaturity, nature of daily activities, and higher level of per-body-unit exposure. There is a rising trend in the disease burden of childhood asthma and allergies in many parts of the world. The associations of CC, air pollution and other environmental exposures with childhood asthma are attracting more research attention, but relatively few studies have focused on CC adaptation measures and childhood asthma. This study aimed to bridge this knowledge gap and conducted the first systematic review on CC adaptation measures and childhood asthma. We searched electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science using a set of MeSH terms and related synonyms, and identified 20 eligible studies included for review. We found that there were a number of adaptation measures proposed for childhood asthma in response to GCC, including vulnerability assessment, improving ventilation and heating, enhancing community education, and developing forecast models and early warning systems. Several randomized controlled trials show that improving ventilation and installing heating in the homes appear to be an effective way to relieve childhood asthma symptoms, especially in winter. However, the effectiveness of most adaptation measures, except for improving ventilation and heating, have not been explored and quantified. Given more extreme weather events (e.g., cold spells and heatwaves) may occur as climate change progresses, this finding may have important implications. Evidently, further research is urgently warranted to evaluate the impacts of CC adaptation measures on childhood asthma. These adaptation measures, if proven to be effective, should be integrated in childhood asthma control and prevention programs as GCC continues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yabin Hu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Cheng
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shijian Liu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianguo Tan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Meteorology and Health (Shanghai Meteorological Service), Shanghai, China
| | - Chonghuai Yan
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangjun Yu
- Center for Biomedical Informatics, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Yin
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shilu Tong
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; School of Public Health, Institute of Environment and Population Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
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8
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Chen CF, Hsu CH, Chang YJ, Lee CH, Lee DL. Efficacy of HEPA Air Cleaner on Improving Indoor Particulate Matter 2.5 Concentration. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11517. [PMID: 36141811 PMCID: PMC9516965 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters is a potential tool used to remove fine particles and improve indoor air quality. This study aims to analyze the real-world efficacy of portable HEPA air cleaners in a household environment. Laser light dispersion PM2.5 sensors are used to continuously monitor the indoor and outdoor PM2.5 level before and after HEPA air cleaner filtration. Overall, HEPA air cleaners significantly reduce the indoor PM2.5 level (33.5 ± 10.3 vs. 17.2 ± 10.7 µg/m3, mean difference (MD) = -16.3 µg/m3, p < 0.001) and indoor/outdoor PM2.5% (76.3 ± 16.8 vs. 38.6 ± 19.8%, MD = -37.7%, p < 0.001). The efficacy to reduce PM2.5 is strongest in three machines with medium-flow setting group (indoor PM2.5 MD: -26.5 µg/m3, indoor/outdoor PM2.5 percentage MD: -56.4%). Multiple linear regression demonstrates that outdoor PM2.5, machine number, airflow speed, and window ventilation are significant factors associated with indoor PM2.5 concentrations (R = 0.879) and percentage of the indoor/outdoor PM2.5 ratio (R = 0.808). HEPA air cleaners can effectively improve indoor PM2.5 air pollution. Adequate air cleaner machine numbers, appropriate airflow, and window ventilation limitations are important to achieve the best efficacy of the HEPA air cleaner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiu-Fan Chen
- Division of Chest Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hsiang Hsu
- Division of Chest Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jung Chang
- Kaohsiung and Pingtung Branch, National Health Insurance Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Kaohsiung 801, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Hsien Lee
- Department of Nursing, Meiho University, Pingtung 912, Taiwan
| | - David Lin Lee
- Division of Chest Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
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9
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Studying the Indoor Environment and Comfort of a University Laboratory: Air-Conditioning Operation and Natural Ventilation Used as a Countermeasure against COVID-19. BUILDINGS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/buildings12070953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the indoor air quality and thermal environment of a university facility were analyzed when an air conditioner was operated and natural ventilation was provided; the most effective natural ventilation method was also evaluated. The research conditions were established by adjusting the temperature of the air conditioner, and frequency of window openings every hour. The area around the windows that is open for natural ventilation was easily affected by outdoor air temperature and humidity. However, since the air conditioner was operating, there was only a brief period during which the environment was uncomfortable. Therefore, the participants in the questionnaire survey expressed neutrality or slight satisfaction for the thermal environment of the entire space. Setting the room temperature to 25 °C in summer was highly comfortable and generated a satisfactory indoor thermal environment. When the room temperature was set to 20 °C in winter, the thermal comfort level was higher than in the other conditions. Providing natural ventilation for 5 min every 30 min was determined to be effective in maintaining an indoor CO2 concentration of 1000 ppm or less. Facilitating natural ventilation for 10 min every 60 min allowed the entry of a large amount of fresh air; however, due to the extended period in which the windows and doors were closed, there were instances when the indoor CO2 concentration exceeded 1000 ppm. Therefore, providing frequent natural ventilation with short time intervals is effective for improving indoor air quality.
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10
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Myers NT, Laumbach RJ, Black KG, Ohman‐Strickland P, Alimokhtari S, Legard A, De Resende A, Calderón L, Lu FT, Mainelis G, Kipen HM. Portable air cleaners and residential exposure to SARS-CoV-2 aerosols: A real-world study. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13029. [PMID: 35481935 PMCID: PMC9111720 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with COVID-19 who do not require hospitalization are instructed to self-isolate in their residences. Due to high secondary infection rates in household members, there is a need to understand airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within residences. We report the first naturalistic intervention study suggesting a reduction of such transmission risk using portable air cleaners (PACs) with HEPA filters. Seventeen individuals with newly diagnosed COVID-19 infection completed this single-blind, crossover, randomized study. Total and size-fractionated aerosol samples were collected simultaneously in the self-isolation room with the PAC (primary) and another room (secondary) for two consecutive 24-h periods, one period with HEPA filtration and the other with the filter removed (sham). Seven out of sixteen (44%) air samples in primary rooms were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA during the sham period. With the PAC operated at its lowest setting (clean air delivery rate [CADR] = 263 cfm) to minimize noise, positive aerosol samples decreased to four out of sixteen residences (25%; p = 0.229). A slight decrease in positive aerosol samples was also observed in the secondary room. As the world confronts both new variants and limited vaccination rates, our study supports this practical intervention to reduce the presence of viral aerosols in a real-world setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirmala T. Myers
- Department of Environmental SciencesRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Robert J. Laumbach
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and JusticeRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Kathleen G. Black
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Pamela Ohman‐Strickland
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Department of Biostatistics and EpidemiologyRutgers School of Public HealthRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Shahnaz Alimokhtari
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Alicia Legard
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Adriana De Resende
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Leonardo Calderón
- Department of Environmental SciencesRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Frederic T. Lu
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Gediminas Mainelis
- Department of Environmental SciencesRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Howard M. Kipen
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and JusticeRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
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11
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Drieling RL, Sampson PD, Krenz JE, Tchong French MI, Jansen KL, Massey AE, Farquhar SA, Min E, Perez A, Riederer AM, Torres E, Younglove LR, Aisenberg E, Andra SS, Kim-Schulze S, Karr CJ. Randomized trial of a portable HEPA air cleaner intervention to reduce asthma morbidity among Latino children in an agricultural community. Environ Health 2022; 21:1. [PMID: 34980119 PMCID: PMC8722199 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00816-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Data on pediatric asthma morbidity and effective environmental interventions in U.S. agricultural settings are few. We evaluated the effectiveness of HEPA air cleaners on asthma morbidity among a cohort of rural Latino children. METHODS Seventy-five children with poorly controlled asthma and living in non-smoking homes were randomly assigned to asthma education alone or along with HEPA air cleaners placed in their sleeping area and home living room. The Asthma Control Test (ACT) score, asthma symptoms in prior 2 weeks, unplanned clinical utilization, creatinine-adjusted urinary leukotriene E4 (uLTE4 [ng/mg]), and additional secondary outcomes were evaluated at baseline, six, and 12 months. Group differences were assessed using multivariable-adjusted generalized estimating equations. Incident rate ratios of ever experiencing the metrics of poorer asthma health during follow-up (suboptimal asthma management) were estimated using Poisson regression models in secondary analysis. RESULTS Mean child age was 9.2 and 8.6 years in intervention and control groups, respectively, and two-thirds of participants were male. Primary analysis of repeated measures of ACT score did not differ between groups (HEPA group mean change compared to controls 10% [95% CI: - 12-39%]). A suggestion of greater decrease in uLTE4 (ng/mg creatinine) was observed (- 10% [95% CI: - 20 -1%]). Secondary analysis showed children with HEPAs were less likely to have an ACT score meeting a clinically defined cutoff for poorly controlled asthma using repeated measures (IRR: 0.45 [95% CI: 0.21-0.97]). In Poisson models, intervention participants had reduced risk of ever meeting this cutoff (IRR: 0.43 [95% CI: 0.21-0.89]), ever having symptoms in the past 2 weeks (IRR: 0.71 [95% CI: 0.52-0.98]), and lower risk of any unplanned clinical utilization (IRR: 0.35 [95% CI: 0.13-0.94]) compared to control participants. DISCUSSION The HAPI study showed generally improved outcomes among children in the HEPA air cleaner group. However, primary analyses did not meet statistical significance and many outcomes were subjective (self-report) in this unblinded study, so findings must be interpreted cautiously. HEPA air cleaners may provide additional benefit for child asthma health where traditional asthmagens (traffic, tobacco smoke) are not prominent factors, but larger studies with more statistical power and blinded designs are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04919915 . Date of retrospective registration: May 19, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Drieling
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Paul D Sampson
- Department of Statistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jennifer E Krenz
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Maria I Tchong French
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Karen L Jansen
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Anne E Massey
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Stephanie A Farquhar
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
- Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Esther Min
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Adriana Perez
- Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, Toppenish, WA, USA
| | - Anne M Riederer
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Elizabeth Torres
- Northwest Communities Education Center, Radio KDNA, Granger, WA, USA
| | - Lisa R Younglove
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Eugene Aisenberg
- School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Syam S Andra
- Department of Environmental Medicine & Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Seunghee Kim-Schulze
- Human Immune Monitoring Center, Department of Oncological Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Catherine J Karr
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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12
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Riederer AM, Krenz JE, Tchong-French MI, Torres E, Perez A, Younglove LR, Jansen KL, Hardie DC, Farquhar SA, Sampson PD, Metwali N, Thorne PS, Karr CJ. Effectiveness of portable HEPA air cleaners on reducing indoor endotoxin, PM 10, and coarse particulate matter in an agricultural cohort of children with asthma: A randomized intervention trial. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:1926-1939. [PMID: 34288127 PMCID: PMC8577577 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We conducted a randomized trial of portable HEPA air cleaners in the homes of children age 6-12 years with asthma in the Yakima Valley, Washington. All families received asthma education while intervention families also received two HEPA cleaners (child's bedroom, living room). We collected 14-day integrated samples of endotoxin in settled dust and PM10 and PM10-2.5 in the air of the children's bedrooms at baseline and one-year follow-up, and used linear regression to compare follow-up levels, adjusting for baseline. Seventy-one families (36 HEPA, 35 control) completed the study. Baseline geometric mean (GSD) endotoxin loadings were 1565 (6.3) EU/m2 and 2110 (4.9) EU/m2 , respectively, in HEPA vs. control homes while PM10 and PM10-2.5 were 22.5 (1.9) μg/m3 and 9.5 (2.9) μg/m3 , respectively, in HEPA homes, and 19.8 (1.8) μg/m3 and 7.7 (2.0) μg/m3 , respectively, in control homes. At follow-up, HEPA families had 46% lower (95% CI, 31%-57%) PM10 on average than control families, consistent with prior studies. In the best-fit heterogeneous slopes model, HEPA families had 49% (95% CI, 6%-110%) and 89% lower (95% CI, 28%-177%) PM10-2.5 at follow-up, respectively, at 50th and 75th percentile baseline concentrations. Endotoxin loadings did not differ significantly at follow-up (4% lower, HEPA homes; 95% CI, -87% to 50%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M. Riederer
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jennifer E. Krenz
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Maria I. Tchong-French
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Torres
- Northwest Communities Education Center, Radio KDNA, Granger, WA, USA
| | - Adriana Perez
- Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, Toppenish, WA, USA
| | - Lisa R. Younglove
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Karen L. Jansen
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David C. Hardie
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Stephanie A. Farquhar
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Paul D. Sampson
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nervana Metwali
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Peter S. Thorne
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Catherine J. Karr
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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13
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Phipatanakul W, Koutrakis P, Coull BA, Petty CR, Gaffin JM, Sheehan WJ, Lai PS, Bartnikas LM, Kang CM, Wolfson JM, Samnaliev M, Cunningham A, Baxi SN, Permaul P, Hauptman M, Trivedi M, Louisias M, Liang L, Thorne PS, Metwali N, Adamkiewicz G, Israel E, Baccarelli AA, Gold DR. Effect of School Integrated Pest Management or Classroom Air Filter Purifiers on Asthma Symptoms in Students With Active Asthma: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2021; 326:839-850. [PMID: 34547084 PMCID: PMC8424475 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2021.11559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE School and classroom allergens and particles are associated with asthma morbidity, but the benefit of environmental remediation is not known. OBJECTIVE To determine whether use of a school-wide integrated pest management (IPM) program or high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter purifiers in the classrooms improve asthma symptoms in students with active asthma. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Factorial randomized clinical trial of a school-wide IPM program and HEPA filter purifiers in the classrooms was conducted from 2015 to 2020 (School Inner-City Asthma Intervention Study). There were 236 students with active asthma attending 41 participating urban elementary schools located in the Northeastern US who were randomized to IPM by school and HEPA filter purifiers by classroom. The date of final follow-up was June 20, 2020. INTERVENTIONS The school-wide IPM program consisted of application of rodenticide, sealing entry points, trap placement, targeted cleaning, and brief educational handouts for school staff. Infestation was assessed every 3 months, with additional treatments as needed. Control schools received no IPM, cleaning, or education. Classroom portable HEPA filter purifiers were deployed and the filters were changed every 3 months. Control classrooms received sham HEPA filters that looked and sounded like active HEPA filter purifiers. Randomization was done independently (split-plot design), with matching by the number of enrolled students to ensure a nearly exact 1:1 student ratio for each intervention with 118 students randomized to each group. Participants, investigators, and those assessing outcomes were blinded to the interventions. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was the number of symptom-days with asthma during a 2-week period. Symptom-days were assessed every 2 months during the 10 months after randomization. RESULTS Among the 236 students who were randomized (mean age, 8.1 [SD, 2.0] years; 113 [48%] female), all completed the trial. At baseline, the 2-week mean was 2.2 (SD, 3.9) symptom-days with asthma and 98% of the classrooms had detectable levels of mouse allergen. The results were pooled because there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 interventions (P = .18 for interaction). During a 2-week period, the mean was 1.5 symptom-days with asthma after use of the school-wide IPM program vs 1.9 symptom-days after no IPM across the school year (incidence rate ratio, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.38-1.33]), which was not statistically significantly different. During a 2-week period, the mean was 1.6 symptom-days with asthma after use of HEPA filter purifiers in the classrooms vs 1.8 symptom-days after use of sham HEPA filter purifiers across the school year (incidence rate ratio, 1.47 [95% CI, 0.79-2.75]), which was not statistically significantly different. There were no intervention-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among children with active asthma, use of a school-wide IPM program or classroom HEPA filter purifiers did not significantly reduce symptom-days with asthma. However, interpretation of the study findings may need to consider allergen levels, particle exposures, and asthma symptoms at baseline. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02291302.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanda Phipatanakul
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard University Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Brent A. Coull
- Department of Environmental Health, T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Biostatistics, T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Carter R. Petty
- Biostatistics and Research Design Center, Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jonathan M. Gaffin
- Harvard University Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - William J. Sheehan
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Children’s National Hospital, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
| | - Peggy S. Lai
- Harvard University Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Lisa M. Bartnikas
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard University Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Choong-Min Kang
- Department of Environmental Health, T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jack M. Wolfson
- Department of Environmental Health, T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mihail Samnaliev
- Biostatistics and Research Design Center, Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Amparito Cunningham
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sachin N. Baxi
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard University Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Perdita Permaul
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Marissa Hauptman
- Harvard University Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of General Pediatrics, Pediatric Environmental Health Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michelle Trivedi
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology and Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical School, Worcester
| | - Margee Louisias
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Liming Liang
- Department of Biostatistics, T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Peter S. Thorne
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City
| | - Nervana Metwali
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City
| | - Gary Adamkiewicz
- Department of Environmental Health, T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elliot Israel
- Department of Environmental Health, T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Divisions of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Allergy and Immunology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrea A. Baccarelli
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Diane R. Gold
- Harvard University Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Environmental Health, T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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