Reviewing the impact of indoor air quality management and asthma education on asthmatic children's health outcomes – A pilot study

Indoor air quality (IAQ) impacts asthmatic children's health. Previous research suggests that individual interventions such as home-based education and IAQ management positively impact health outcomes for asthma and other respiratory diseases. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the combination of homebased education and IAQ management with an air purifier as a single intervention, rather than individual interventions, to improve health outcomes of asthmatic children. This study was conducted between June and November 2019 in McAllen, Texas. Foobot devices were used to monitor the temperature, relative humidity, particulate matter 2.5μm (PM2.5), and total Volatile Organic Compounds (tVOC) in the bedroom, kitchen, and living room of 13 homes. The monitoring was carried into phases of equal length of pre- and post-intervention. Families received asthma education together with recommendations on how to manage and improve IAQ. The children's health outcomes were evaluated at the beginning and end of the study using certified surveys. Comparison of the PM2.5 and tVOC levels and the scores for health outcomes were made between pre-and post-intervention. The results showed that PM2.5 and tVOC levels reduced significantly after intervention. The health outcomes were improved in asthmatic children. However, only the difference in the health-related quality of life was statistically significant. The results cannot be generalised; however, they provide evidence of the combined intervention's impact, including asthma education and IAQ management, with an air purifier to improve asthmatic children's health outcomes

Reviewing the impact of indoor air quality management and asthma education on asthmatic children's health outcomes – a pilot study

Indoor air quality (IAQ) impacts asthmatic children's health. Previous research suggests that individual interventions such as home-based education and IAQ management positively impact health outcomes for asthma and other respiratory diseases. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the combination of homebased education and IAQ management with an air purifier as a single intervention, rather than individual interventions, to improve health outcomes of asthmatic children. This study was conducted between June and November 2019 in McAllen, Texas. Foobot devices were used to monitor the temperature, relative humidity, particulate matter 2.5μm (PM2.5), and total Volatile Organic Compounds (tVOC) in the bedroom, kitchen, and living room of 13 homes. The monitoring was carried into phases of equal length of pre- and post-intervention. Families received asthma education together with recommendations on how to manage and improve IAQ. The children's health outcomes were evaluated at the beginning and end of the study using certified surveys. Comparison of the PM2.5 and tVOC levels and the scores for health outcomes were made between pre-and post-intervention. The results showed that PM2.5 and tVOC levels reduced significantly after intervention. The health outcomes were improved in asthmatic children. However, only the difference in the health-related quality of life was statistically significant. The results cannot be generalised; however, they provide evidence of the combined intervention's impact, including asthma education and IAQ management, with an air purifier to improve asthmatic children's health outcomes

Indoor air quality and health outcomes in employees working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic : a pilot study

Indoor air quality (IAQ) has a significant impact on human health. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, more employees have worked remotely from home to reduce in-person contacts. This pilot study aims to measure the difference in workplace IAQ before and during the pandemic and its impact on employees’ health. The levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and total volatile organic chemicals (tVOC) were measured in the employees’ offices before the COVID-19 pandemic and at homes while working from home during the pandemic using Foobot air monitors. The frequencies of six Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) symptoms were evaluated at each period of monitoring. The result showed PM2.5 levels in households while working from home were significantly higher than in offices while working at the office in all participants (

Environmental Factors and Hospital Utilization for Pediatric Asthma in South Texas: Air Pollution, Hospital Length of Stay, and Readmissions

Hospital length of stay (LOS) has been identified as a proxy measure of healthcare expenditures and cost of care in the United States. Hospital readmission is one of the most important asthma-related health outcomes to consider since repeated hospitalizations could lead to a large burden on patients/caregivers, hospitals, and the government with regard to healthcare resources, cost and quality. However, there are limited studies investigating the potentially important associations between ambient air pollution and hospital utilization outcomes, including LOS and hospital readmissions, for pediatric asthma. In addition, few studies have examined factors affecting the high frequency of hospitalization for pediatric asthma. The first study investigated the association between ambient air pollution and LOS among children with asthma in South Texas. The findings of this study showed that the increased ozone level was significantly associated with prolonged LOS (>2 nights) in the single- and two-pollutant models. The second study examined effects of ambient air pollutants on preventable hospital readmission for pediatric asthma in South Texas. This study found adverse effects of PM2.5 and ozone concentrations on avoidable hospital readmissions among children with asthma. In addition, this study showed that younger age and exposure during the warmer season were associated with the effect of ambient air pollutants. The final study identified individual and environmental characteristics of children with asthma who had a higher frequency of hospitalizations in a low-income community of South Texas. The results revealed that a modest number of patients with the highest number of hospitalizations accounted for substantial hospital resource utilization. This study also showed that the age of 5-11 years, longer LOS at index admission, initial admission during warm season, and high level of outdoor air pollution in residential neighborhoods present as significant characteristics of pediatric asthma patients with a higher number of hospitalizations in South Texas. In conclusion, these findings may help health professionals, public health experts, school leaders, and policymakers consider the importance of ambient air pollution on hospital LOS and repeated admissions, among pediatric patients with asthma during education sessions, medical care practice, and policy formulation, emphasizing preventive measures

Environmental Factors and Hospital Utilization for Pediatric Asthma in South Texas: Air Pollution, Hospital Length of Stay, and Readmissions

Hospital length of stay (LOS) has been identified as a proxy measure of healthcare expenditures and cost of care in the United States. Hospital readmission is one of the most important asthma-related health outcomes to consider since repeated hospitalizations could lead to a large burden on patients/caregivers, hospitals, and the government with regard to healthcare resources, cost and quality. However, there are limited studies investigating the potentially important associations between ambient air pollution and hospital utilization outcomes, including LOS and hospital readmissions, for pediatric asthma. In addition, few studies have examined factors affecting the high frequency of hospitalization for pediatric asthma. The first study investigated the association between ambient air pollution and LOS among children with asthma in South Texas. The findings of this study showed that the increased ozone level was significantly associated with prolonged LOS (>2 nights) in the single- and two-pollutant models. The second study examined effects of ambient air pollutants on preventable hospital readmission for pediatric asthma in South Texas. This study found adverse effects of PM2.5 and ozone concentrations on avoidable hospital readmissions among children with asthma. In addition, this study showed that younger age and exposure during the warmer season were associated with the effect of ambient air pollutants. The final study identified individual and environmental characteristics of children with asthma who had a higher frequency of hospitalizations in a low-income community of South Texas. The results revealed that a modest number of patients with the highest number of hospitalizations accounted for substantial hospital resource utilization. This study also showed that the age of 5-11 years, longer LOS at index admission, initial admission during warm season, and high level of outdoor air pollution in residential neighborhoods present as significant characteristics of pediatric asthma patients with a higher number of hospitalizations in South Texas. In conclusion, these findings may help health professionals, public health experts, school leaders, and policymakers consider the importance of ambient air pollution on hospital LOS and repeated admissions, among pediatric patients with asthma during education sessions, medical care practice, and policy formulation, emphasizing preventive measures

Reviewing the impact of indoor air quality management and asthma education on asthmatic children's health outcomes – A pilot study

Indoor air quality (IAQ) impacts asthmatic children's health. Previous research suggests that individual interventions such as home-based education and IAQ management positively impact health outcomes for asthma and other respiratory diseases. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the combination of homebased education and IAQ management with an air purifier as a single intervention, rather than individual interventions, to improve health outcomes of asthmatic children. This study was conducted between June and November 2019 in McAllen, Texas. Foobot devices were used to monitor the temperature, relative humidity, particulate matter 2.5μm (PM2.5), and total Volatile Organic Compounds (tVOC) in the bedroom, kitchen, and living room of 13 homes. The monitoring was carried into phases of equal length of pre- and post-intervention. Families received asthma education together with recommendations on how to manage and improve IAQ. The children's health outcomes were evaluated at the beginning and end of the study using certified surveys. Comparison of the PM2.5 and tVOC levels and the scores for health outcomes were made between pre-and post-intervention. The results showed that PM2.5 and tVOC levels reduced significantly after intervention. The health outcomes were improved in asthmatic children. However, only the difference in the health-related quality of life was statistically significant. The results cannot be generalised; however, they provide evidence of the combined intervention's impact, including asthma education and IAQ management, with an air purifier to improve asthmatic children's health outcomes.publishedVersio