air-Q in action: WellHome - West London Healthy Home and Environment Study
Imperial College London uses the air-Q in several scientific studies on air quality. Here, we focus on the large-scale WellHome study, which examines air quality in homes with children who have asthma or allergies.
What is the study about?
Children growing up in the United Kingdom today spend most of their time indoors, at home or at school. The air in these spaces is often filled with various pollutants. Although indoor air quality has a major impact on our health, little research has been conducted on the subject so far.
The WellHome study examines indoor and outdoor air quality in White City, in west London, focusing on children with asthma. To this end, more than 100 households—particularly those from ethnic minority groups—were integrated into a network of sensors.
• Establishing a research network with the local community.
• Measurement of household pollutants that can trigger asthma.
• Study of social inequalities and the effectiveness of measures to preserve air quality.
• Analysis of residents' knowledge and behavior regarding air quality.
• Development of a model to identify the factors that influence pollution.
• Collection and statistical analysis of all data to identify relationships between air quality, behavior, and health symptoms.
In addition, the Minder substudy is investigating whether indoor air pollution—particularly fine particulate matter—exacerbates cognitive decline in people with dementia. According to Imperial College, there is already evidence that air pollution may affect cognitive abilities. However, more research is still needed to quantify the direct effects of specific air pollutants and determine which of these substances is most closely linked to the onset or progression of dementia.
How was the study conducted?
For the WellHome study, air-Q sensors were installed in 10 of the 100 households selected in West London to collect data over the course of a year. These households were selected based on their good condition, the stable housing situation of their occupants, and their particular interest in indoor air quality.
Each home received three air-Q devices: one in the living room, one in the kitchen, and one in the bedroom, to continuously monitor indoor air quality. Modified Dyson air purifiers were used in the other homes.
As part of the Minder substudy, 24 households with residents living with dementia were additionally equipped with air-Q sensors. Here, too, three sensors were installed in each home to study the relationship between air quality and behavioral changes in the residents.
For a comprehensive analysis, indoor air data were combined with outdoor air quality data from the Breathe London network. This network collects air quality data from across London—including residential areas, schools, streets, parks, and commercial districts—to provide a detailed picture of air pollution in the city.
The two-year data collection period concluded this summer, and analysis of the data is currently underway. All participants received reports on air quality in the living room, kitchen, and bedroom of their homes. The results of the analysis will be published within the next 12 months. In addition, the research team is using the collected data to develop a model that illustrates how the behavior of White City residents affects air pollution. This model will be expanded to include other ethnic communities and children with asthma throughout the United Kingdom.
What are the conclusions/results of the research?
The findings of the WellHome study could play a decisive role in the development of new guidelines to improve indoor air quality. The research results provide valuable data that can help raise public awareness of the importance of indoor air quality and encourage healthier behaviors.
For researchers, the air-Q provided detailed, real-time data on sources of air pollution—such as cooking fumes and VOCs—which help to better understand the health effects and drive targeted policy measures to improve air quality.
In practice, thanks to its LED display, the air-Q has already helped promote healthier behaviors and greater awareness of air quality among residents.
In public spaces such as schools, offices, and hospitals, data visualization promotes transparency and accountability, reinforces a sense of safety, and encourages healthy behaviors, such as refraining from smoking indoors or using environmentally friendly cleaning products.
According to researchers at Imperial College, better indoor air quality has been shown to contribute to higher productivity in schools and workplaces, thus offering not only health benefits but also economic advantages. The introduction of relevant regulations would also support environmental goals and ensure healthier and more sustainable indoor spaces in the long term.
As soon as the study is published, we'll post a link to it here.
How air-Q Is Revolutionizing Indoor Air Quality Measurement in the WellHome Study
WellHome Study - Indoor Air Pollution and Its Impact on Asthma.
Key Functions of the air-Q for Research at Imperial College London
Comprehensive data collection: The air-Q monitoring device allows the Imperial College team to simultaneously measure various air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide (CO), fine particulate matter (PM), carbon dioxide (CO₂), formaldehyde (CH₂O), ozone (O₃), and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). There are currently 39 air-Q measuring devices in use for research. They were specially adapted for Imperial College. This is particularly important for epidemiological studies that examine the health effects of various air pollutants.
Flexibility and ease of use: The air-Q is compact, easy to install, and easy to transport, making it ideal for use in different homes. This flexibility has enabled researchers to collect comprehensive and detailed data from participating households.
Real-time monitoring: The air-Q’s ability to transmit air quality data in real time enables researchers to quickly identify specific sources of pollution and respond promptly to study participants. This has not only raised awareness of indoor air pollution but has also led to practical changes in participants’ daily behaviors, such as switching to cooking methods that produce fewer emissions.
Data Access Options: Designed specifically for researchers, the air-Q measuring device offers a full range of options for accessing data. Data can be recorded every minute or even every second and imported into the analysis software. This enables highly detailed analyses and evaluations.
Interview with Imperial College London
Discover interesting facts from our written interview with researcher and Ph.D. candidate Sutong Li of Imperial College London.
Learn more about the Wellhome and Minder sub-studies, in which more than 40 air-Q science devices play a key role. The results are based on the situation as of September 2024 and offer interesting insights into the connection between science and modern air analysis, as well as ongoing collaboration.
How does indoor air pollution affect our children's health?
air-Q: Today, in the United Kingdom, children spend most of their time in indoor spaces such as homes and schools, where air quality is often complex. Can you give us an update on the research regarding the relationship between indoor air quality and public health, especially as it pertains to children?
Children growing up in the United Kingdom today belong to the generation of “indoor children,” whose activities take place largely in enclosed spaces such as homes and schools. These places often have complex indoor air quality conditions. Despite its importance for human exposure, the relationship between indoor air quality and public health is a relatively under-researched area.
Imperial College London is conducting an ongoing research project called the West London Study on Healthy Home and Environment (WellHome), which focuses on the relationship between indoor air quality and public health, with a special focus on children. As part of the WellHome study, indoor and outdoor air quality was monitored in more than 100 homes in West London where children with asthma or allergies lived. The researchers are particularly interested in identifying the types of pollutants present, their sources, and the interactions between these pollutants and the children’s health. In close collaboration with local communities, the study also aims to raise awareness and understanding of indoor air pollution and encourage behavioral changes to improve health.
The study has now completed its two-year data collection phase and is currently analyzing the data. All participants received feedback reports on air quality in the living room, kitchen, and bedroom of each household. The results of the analysis will be published within the next 12 months.
How does the WellHome study monitor indoor air quality, and how does it relate to outdoor air quality?
air-Q: Could you explain how air quality monitoring has evolved since the study began? What types of air quality monitors—both indoor and outdoor—are used, and how extensive is the network you have established for this research?
1. The WellHome Study: West London Healthy Home and Environment Study: The WellHome Study was developed in collaboration with the local community in White City, West London, and focuses on indoor and outdoor air quality in more than 100 homes where children with asthma live. We selected 10 of the 100 homes in West London for the installation of air-Q sensors to collect data over the course of a year, as these homes are in good condition, their occupants have no plans to move, and they have a strong interest in indoor air quality. We installed three air-Q devices in each home—one in the living room, one in the kitchen, and one in the bedroom—to monitor indoor air quality. In the other homes, modified Dyson air purifiers are being used.
2. Minder Substudy: Is exposure to indoor air pollution associated with acute cognitive decline in dementia? Given the general effects of air pollution on older adults, studying the effects of indoor air pollution on brain health should be a priority. This also includes drawing on the existing scientific literature on this topic, as well as a specific examination of population groups that are particularly vulnerable to indoor air quality issues.
The objective of this substudy is to investigate the relationship between exposure to indoor air pollutants—particularly fine particulate matter—and behavioral changes in people with dementia. There is already evidence that air pollution may affect cognitive abilities. However, further research is still needed to quantify the direct effects of specific air pollutants and to determine which of these substances is most closely associated with the onset or progression of dementia.
For this study, approximately 24 or more households with people living with dementia are being recruited in West London. Three air-Q sensors are installed in each home—one in the living room, one in the kitchen, and one in the bedroom—to comprehensively monitor indoor air quality.
3. Outdoor air quality monitors: We combine our indoor air-Q data with outdoor air quality data from our community-driven Breathe London network (www.breathelondon.org). The Breathe London network covers all of London, including various types of environments such as residential areas, schools, streets, parks, and commercial districts. This ensures that data is collected from a wide variety of locations and covers a broad spectrum of air quality conditions across the city.
Use and Selection of the air-Q Device
air-Q: How exactly is the air-Q device used in your practice, and what led you to choose this device? Can you also tell us how many units are currently in use?
There are currently 39 air-Q science units in use for research purposes. The devices were custom-ordered by Imperial College and manufactured by air-Q to measure CO, PM, CO2, formaldehyde, O3, and NO2. The air-Q is compact and flexible, making it easy for researchers to transport to installation and data collection sites. The air-Q takes up little space in participants’ homes, making its installation more acceptable to them. The installation process is simple and takes only about 10 minutes, requiring only Wi-Fi and a cell phone. Once the air-Q is up and running, data transmission is stable, and real-time data can be viewed and downloaded. This allows researchers to manage data efficiently and maximize the collection rates of validated data. Finally, the air-Q can measure a wide variety of air pollutants and environmental data, which is of great importance for epidemiological studies involving multiple air pollutants.
How has the air-Q changed awareness of indoor air pollution?
air-Q: Can you give us an example of a situation or result in which the air-Q played a decisive role in uncovering important findings during the study?
The LED screens on the air-Q device serve as a visual indicator of air quality: green for good quality, yellow for moderate quality, and red for poor quality. In the Wellhome study, researchers often choose to leave the light on even after installation. As a Wellhome field collaborator, I regularly visit different homes to maintain or collect the sensors, and I talk to residents about their experience with the air-Q. On one occasion, a woman told me a particularly striking story:
After I explained to her that the red indicator simply signaled poor air quality—caused by the numerous fine particles and gaseous pollutants generated during cooking—she felt relieved.
The Importance of Air Quality Regulations in Public Spaces
air-Q: Given that France and Belgium have enacted laws regarding the monitoring of indoor air quality in certain public spaces, do you think it would be useful to introduce similar regulations in other countries? How could air-Q, with its ability to display air quality data via Smart Widgets on large screens, help improve public awareness and safety in these environments?
The introduction of regulations governing indoor air quality monitoring in public spaces, similar to those in France and Belgium, would be extremely beneficial in other countries, as it could significantly improve public health by reducing exposure to harmful pollutants, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. In addition, healthcare costs associated with air pollution could be reduced. Furthermore, raising awareness of the importance of indoor air quality could promote better building management practices and reduce long-term maintenance costs. Better indoor air quality has also been linked to increased productivity in the workplace and in schools, offering economic benefits that go beyond improvements in health. Overall, the implementation of such regulations would align with broader environmental goals and create healthier and more sustainable indoor spaces for everyone.
Thanks to immediate visual feedback on air quality, the air-Q sensor helps people become more aware of the air they breathe and the potential health risks associated with poor air quality. This visibility encourages people to take proactive measures, such as opening windows, turning on ventilation systems, or using air purifiers when air quality deteriorates.
In addition, prominently displaying this data in public spaces such as schools, offices, hospitals, and transit hubs fosters a culture of transparency and accountability. People feel safer and more protected in environments where air quality is actively monitored and managed. It also serves as an educational tool, raising awareness about the factors that influence air quality and encouraging healthier behaviors, such as avoiding indoor smoking or using environmentally friendly cleaning products.
For the public, installing the air-Q in their homes has increased both their understanding of the sources that contribute to poor indoor air quality and their awareness of the importance of maintaining good indoor air quality. For researchers, the air-Q’s real-time monitoring capabilities allow for the collection of detailed and temporally precise data on indoor air quality. This helps identify sources of pollution, such as cooking fumes and indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and understand the effects of poor air quality on people’s health and performance. These findings provide researchers and policymakers with concrete evidence to drive meaningful changes in health policy and practice.
What are the long-term expectations and the implications for policy and practice?
air-Q: What are your long-term expectations for this study? How do you envision the study’s results influencing policy or practice regarding indoor air quality and public health?
Long-term expectations for the Wellhome study and the Minder sub-study focus on obtaining comprehensive and robust data on indoor air quality and its effects on vulnerable population groups. These studies aim to provide a detailed understanding of how various factors (such as household activities and outdoor pollution) affect air quality in different residential buildings. By collecting and analyzing this data over time, we can identify the main sources of indoor air pollution, seasonal variations, and patterns associated with specific health effects.
The results of the Wellhome study and the Minder substudy could play a decisive role in the design of new strategies and practices related to indoor air quality. For example, the findings could be used to raise public awareness about the importance of indoor air quality and its preservation. By understanding the specific activities and conditions that contribute to poor indoor air quality, health authorities could provide households with practical advice on reducing indoor pollution, such as using range hoods while cooking, changing cooking methods, avoiding smoking indoors, or choosing low-emission cleaning products.