Reaction to at-home air purifiers installed to reduce traffic-related air pollution in near-highway residences

Abstract

Abstract Background and aim Traffic-related ultrafine particle pollution near highways is associated with adverse health. Reducing exposure by use of portable air purifiers in homes is one approach to reducing this risk. However, the reaction of residents to having air purifiers in homes is not well studied. Methods Within the framework of our randomized crossover trial of air purifiers in homes near a major highway, we collected data about participants’ use and reactions to air purifiers using questionnaires at their 30-day and 90-day home visits, recorded electricity consumption using HOBO monitors, and conducted structured interviews with participants. Results Nearly all 150 participants reported running the air purifiers virtually 24 h every day in both their living room and their bedroom in the prior month. The units’ HOBO electricity use, from a subset of 45 participants, supported the participants’ responses from the questionnaire. Approximately 80% of participants reported setting their air purifier on the medium setting. Tolerance to air purifier noise increased significantly between the 30-day and 90-day home visits, with approximately two thirds reporting not being bothered at all by the noise. The qualitative interviews in a subset of 26 participants yielded consistent responses to those from the questionnaires. Size of unit, airflow, and energy consumption were additional concerns that emerged during the interviews. Conclusions Results from the questionnaires, HOBO data, and structured interviews all suggest participants had positive reactions towards the presence of in-home APs, and therefore may be receptive to using air purifiers in their homes on a regular basis. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04279249 . Registered 09 October 2019.

Keywords

• Air purifiers
• Acceptability
• Traffic-related air pollution
• Ultrafine particulates
• Clinical trials