A new study by the Asthma Society of Ireland shows that improving indoor air quality may help people with asthma manage their symptoms.
The research suggests air quality monitoring and air cleaning could be a vital part of ongoing asthma management.
As part of the study, nine members of the Asthma Society of Ireland installed a Cair smart air quality sensor from NuWave Sensors in their home and used the Cair app to log their asthma symptoms for three months. Halfway through the study, a CliniAir air purifier unit from Envirion was installed in the home and used for the final six weeks of research.
John Sodeau, professor of chemistry at UCC, said: “The main lesson to be learned from this report is that air filtration systems are a real help in reducing the numbers of airborne particulates present in your house. Every asthma management plan should have one.”
The research showed that a significant number of asthma events could be linked to poor air quality within the home, and that installing an air purifier led to a dramatic drop in dangerous air pollution, particularly a type linked to more severe asthma symptoms, COPD and even lung cancer.
Dr Stephen Daniels from NuWave Sensors said: “This study highlights the importance of monitoring and understanding air quality including temperature, humidity, particle and chemical pollution in your home to effectively manage your personal asthma triggers.”
“The importance of clean outdoor air is well understood; however, indoor air quality is just as important. We spend the majority of our time indoors, which means that the air we breathe impacts our health and wellbeing.
“When outdoor air quality is bad, it can be difficult for one person to make changes that lead to big improvements. However, with indoor air quality it is relatively easy and often cost-effective to make small changes that can reap real rewards for your health.”
