air-Q in action:
Kurt-Masur-Schule Leipzig - root cause analysis for temperature problems in summer

air-Q: In the UK today, children spend the majority of their time in enclosed spaces such as homes and schools, where air quality is often complex. Can you give an update on research into the relationship between indoor air quality and public health, particularly with regard to children?

ICL: Children growing up in the UK today belong to the generation of 'indoor children', whose activities largely take place in enclosed spaces such as homes and schools. These places often have complex air quality. Despite their 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 active piece of 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 indoor and outdoor air quality 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 children's health conditions. Working closely 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 in the process of analyzing the data. All participants have been provided with feedback reports on the air quality in the living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms of each household. The results of the analysis will be published over the next 12 months.

air-Q: Could you tell us about the development of air quality monitoring since the start of the study? What types of air quality monitors - both indoor and outdoor - are in use, and how extensive is the network you have built up for this research?

ICL:

1. the Wellhome study: West London Healthy Home and Environment Study:
The WellHome study was developed in partnership with the local community in White City, West London, focusing on the air quality inside and outside over 100 homes of children with asthma. We selected 10 out of 100 homes in West London to have air-Q sensors installed to collect data for a year as these homes are in good condition, would not move and have a strong interest in indoor air quality. We installed 3 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. Modified Dyson air purifiers are used in the remaining apartments.

2nd Minder sub-study: Is exposure to indoor air pollution associated with acute cognitive impairment in dementia?
Given the general impact of air pollution on older people, investigating the effects of indoor air pollution on brain health should be a priority. This includes utilizing the existing scientific literature on this topic and targeting those populations that are particularly susceptible to indoor air quality problems.

The aim of this sub-study is to investigate the relationship between exposure to indoor air pollutants, in particular particulates, and behavioral changes in people with dementia. There is already evidence that air pollution can impair cognitive abilities. However, research is still needed to quantify the direct effects of specific air pollutants and to determine which of these substances is most strongly associated with the development or progression of dementia.

For this study, around 24 or more households of people with dementia in West London will be recruited. Three air-Q sensors will be 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 data from the air-Q with outdoor air quality data from our community network Breathe London (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 and captures a wide range of air quality conditions across the city.

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

ICL: There are currently 39 air-Q science devices in use for research purposes. The units were custom ordered by Imperial and manufactured by air-Q to measure CO, PM, CO2, formaldehyde, O3 and NO2. The air-Q is compact and flexible, making it easy to transport when researchers take it to sites for installation and data collection. The air-Q takes up little space in participants' homes, making installation more acceptable to them. The installation process is simple and only takes 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 validated data collection rates. Finally, the air-Q can measure a variety of air pollutants and environmental data, which is important for epidemiologic studies on multiple air pollutants.

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

ICL: The LED indicators of the air-Q device serve as a clear indicator of the air quality: green for good, yellow for medium and red for poor air quality. In the Wellhome study, the researchers often decide to leave the light activated even after installation. As a Wellhome field representative, I regularly visit different households to service or collect the sensors and talk to residents about their experiences with air-Q. One lady once told me a particularly 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 it was a gas leak in our house. My son shouted, 'Stop cooking right now or our house will explode!" After I explained to her that the red light merely indicated poor air quality - caused by the many fine dust particles and gaseous pollutants produced by cooking - she was relieved. "Good to know," she said when I picked up the air-Q device. "I had no idea that cooking could pollute indoor air. This has changed my cooking habits a lot. I now try to reduce traditional cooking methods wherever I can and use appliances like microwaves and air fryers that produce less fumes."

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 air-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 are breathing 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.

For the public, placing the air-Q in their homes has increased both their understanding of the sources contributing to poor indoor air quality and their awareness of how to maintain good indoor air quality. For researchers, the real-time monitoring capability of the air-Q enables the collection of detailed and time-specific indoor air quality data. This helps to 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.

air-Q: What are your long-term expectations for this study? How can you see the results of the study influencing policy or practice in relation to indoor air quality and public health?

ICL: The long-term expectations for the Wellhome study and the Minder sub-study are focused on generating comprehensive and robust data on indoor air quality and its impact on vulnerable populations. These studies aim to provide a detailed understanding of how different factors (e.g. 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 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 to households on how to reduce indoor pollution, such as using exhaust fans when cooking, changing the way they cook, avoiding smoking indoors or choosing low-emission cleaning products.