Imperial College London Use Case

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Answer: Children growing up in the UK today are part of the 'indoor child generation' as most of their activities take place in enclosed spaces such as homes and schools. These places often have complex air quality conditions. Although indoor air quality is important in terms of human exposure, the relationship between indoor air quality and public health is a relatively under-researched area.

Imperial College London is currently conducting research 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 particular focus on children. The WellHome study monitored the air quality inside and outside more than 100 homes in West London where children with asthma or allergies live. The researchers are particularly interested in what pollutants are present, where they come from and how these pollutants interact with children's health conditions. Working closely with local communities, the study also aims to raise awareness of indoor air pollution and encourage behavioral change to improve health.

This study has now completed its two-year data collection phase and is in the data analysis phase. All participants were given feedback on the indoor air quality in their living room, kitchen and bedroom. The results of the analysis will be published in the next 12 months.

As children in the UK today are part of an 'indoor child generation', with most of their activities indoors such as homes and schools - areas with complex air quality environments - can you provide an update on the current state of research on the relationship between indoor air quality and public health, particularly in relation to children?

Answer: Children growing up in the UK today are part of the 'indoor child generation' as most of their activities take place in enclosed spaces such as homes and schools. These places often have complex air quality conditions. Although indoor air quality is important in terms of human exposure, the relationship between indoor air quality and public health is a relatively under-researched area.

Imperial College London is currently conducting research 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 particular focus on children. The WellHome study monitored the air quality inside and outside more than 100 homes in West London where children with asthma or allergies live. The researchers are particularly interested in what pollutants are present, where they come from and how these pollutants interact with children's health conditions. Working closely with local communities, the study also aims to raise awareness of indoor air pollution and encourage behavioral change to improve health.

This study has now completed its two-year data collection phase and is in the data analysis phase. All participants were given feedback on the indoor air quality in their living room, kitchen and bedroom. The results of the analysis will be published in the next 12 months.

Since the study began, can you tell us about the way air quality is monitored? In particular, what types of air quality monitors - both indoor and outdoor - are used, and how extensive is the network established for this research?

Answer: Indoor air quality monitors:

1. WellHome study: West London Healthy Home and Environment Study The WellHome study has been developed with the local community in White City, West London, focusing on the air quality inside and outside over 100 households where children with asthma live. We have prioritized 10 out of 100 homes in West London to install air Q sensors to collect data for a year, as these homes are in good condition, will not be moving and have a high interest in indoor air quality. In each of these homes, we have installed 3 Air Q devices - one in the living room, one in the kitchen and one in the bedroom - to monitor indoor air quality. The remaining homes use modified Dyson air purifiers.
2. Minder sub-study: Is exposure to indoor air pollution associated with acute cognitive impairment in dementia? Given the overall impact of air pollution on older people, the effects of indoor air pollution on brain health need to be prioritized for research, including using the wider literature on indoor air pollution and focusing on this issue in vulnerable populations. This sub-study aims to investigate the associations between exposure to indoor pollutants and particle pollution and behavioral changes in people with dementia. There is evidence that air pollution affects cognitive performance. However, we still need to find out how the effects of air pollutants can be directly quantified and which pollutant is most closely associated with the development or progression of dementia. We will recruit around 24 or more households of people with dementia in West London to take part in this study. Three air Q-sensors will be placed in each household to monitor indoor air quality: one in the living room, one in the kitchen and one in the bedroom.
3. Outdoor air quality monitors: We combine our indoor data from the Air Q devices with outdoor air quality data from our Breathe London Community Network (www.breathelondon.org). The Breathe London network covers the whole of London, including different types of environments such as residential areas, schools, streets, parks and business districts. This ensures that data is collected from a variety of locations to capture a wide range of air quality conditions across the city.

How is the Air-Q device specifically used in your study and what led you to select this device? Can you also tell us how many units are currently in use?

Answer: There are currently 39 air-Q-Science units in use for research purposes. These air-Q units have been customized by Imperial College to measure CO, PM, CO2, formaldehyde, O3 and NO2. The air-Q device is small and flexible, making it easy to transport for installation or collection. In addition, the Luft-Q takes up little space in participants' homes, making installation more acceptable to them. During the installation process, the Luft-Q is very easy to set up in about 10 minutes using only Wi-Fi and a cell phone. Once the Air-Q is up and running, data transmission is stable and allows real-time viewing and downloading of data, enabling researchers to manage the data and maximize the collection rates of valid data. Finally, the Air-Q can measure multiple air pollutants and environmental data, which is conducive to epidemiologic studies on multiple air pollutants.

Can you give an example of a situation or outcome where air Q played a crucial role in uncovering important findings during the study?

Answer: The Air Q device has an indicator light that can be used to display the air quality: Green for good air quality, yellow for medium air quality and red for poor air quality. In the WellHome study, researchers typically choose to leave the light on after installation is complete. As a member of the WellHome field team, I often visit different households to service or collect the sensors, talking to residents about their experiences with the Air-Q. Once a woman told me a very impressive story: "I was cooking in the kitchen when I saw the Air-Q light change from green to red for the first time. I panicked and thought there was a gas leak in my house. My son screamed for me to stop cooking or our house would explode!". After hearing this, I explained to her that the red light only meant that the air quality was poor, which was because cooking produces a lot of particulates and other gaseous pollutants. "Good to know," this woman said when I retrieved the air Q device. "I didn't realize that cooking can also cause indoor air pollution. That had a big impact on how I cook. I now try to reduce traditional cooking methods as much as possible and instead use appliances that produce less fumes, like microwaves and air fryers."

For the public, placing the Luft-Q in their homes has increased their understanding of the sources contributing to poor indoor air quality and their awareness of maintaining good indoor air quality. For researchers, the real-time monitoring capability of the Luft-Q enables the collection of detailed and time-specific indoor air quality data. This helps identify indoor pollution sources such as cooking fumes and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and understand the impact of poor air quality on public health and performance. These findings provide researchers and policy makers with concrete evidence to drive meaningful change in health policy and practice.

As France and Belgium have passed legislation to monitor indoor air quality in certain public spaces, do you think it would be useful to introduce similar regulations in other countries? How could the Luft-Q, with its ability to display air quality data via smart widgets on large screens, help to improve public awareness and safety in these environments?

Response: The introduction of regulations to monitor indoor air quality in public spaces, similar to those in France and Belgium, would be highly 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. It could also reduce the health costs associated with air quality pollution. In addition, awareness of the importance of indoor air quality could promote better building management practices and reduce long-term maintenance costs. Improved indoor air quality has also been linked to increased productivity in the workplace and schools, offering economic benefits that go beyond health improvements. Overall, implementing such regulations would align with broader environmental goals and create healthier, more sustainable indoor environments for all.

By providing instant visual feedback on air quality, the Air Q Sensor enables people to become more aware of the air they breathe and the potential health risks posed by poor air quality. This visibility encourages individuals to take proactive measures such as opening windows, turning on ventilation systems or using air purifiers when air quality decreases.
In addition, the prominent display of this data in public spaces such as schools, offices, hospitals and transportation hubs promotes a culture of transparency and accountability. People are more likely to feel safe and protected in environments where air quality is actively monitored and managed. It also serves as an educational tool that raises awareness of the factors that influence air quality and encourages healthier behaviors, such as avoiding smoking indoors or using environmentally friendly cleaning products.

What are your long-term expectations for this study? How do you envision the results influencing policy or practice related to indoor air quality and public health?

Response: Going forward, the long-term expectations of both the WellHome study and the Minder sub-study aim to generate comprehensive and robust data on indoor air quality and its impact on vulnerable communities. These studies are expected to provide a detailed understanding of how various factors (such as household activities and outdoor pollution) affect air quality in different types of homes. By collecting and analyzing this data over time, we can identify important sources of indoor pollution, seasonal variations and patterns in relation to specific health impacts.

The results of the WellHome study and the Minder sub-study could play a crucial role in shaping new policies and practices related to indoor air quality. For example, the results could be used to educate the public about the importance of indoor air quality and how to maintain it. By understanding the specific activities and conditions that contribute to poor indoor air quality, health authorities could provide practical advice for households, such as reducing indoor pollution, e.g. by using exhaust fans when cooking, changing cooking habits, avoiding smoking indoors or choosing low-emission cleaning products.