Research Projects

Particulate matter (PM) and ozone levels continue to be elevated in California urban areas, and a number of studies have shown that ultrafine PM (UFP) is elevated near busy roadways. These pose a significant health issue, because elevated ambient PM and ozone and near-roadway exposures have been associated with numerous adverse effects, including exacerbation of symptoms in children with asthma. The objectives of this project are to determine the extent to which high efficiency air filtration in homes reduces indoor exposures to PM and ozone, and whether there is a concomitant reduction in asthma symptoms in children with moderate to severe asthma. Two hundred children will be enrolled for two years to test the effects of central system or portable high efficiency filters or filtration units. It is anticipated that this project will find that both the in-duct and stand-alone high efficiency filtration units will result in reduced indoor air pollution and a lower prevalence of asthma symptoms. As a result of this study, ARB should be able to determine whether these interventions will reduce exposures to key air pollutants and be cost effective in reducing health costs associated with asthma care.