Energy Recovery Ventilation and Air Cleaner Interventions to Improve Indoor Air Quality, Mold Control, and Asthma-Related Health Outcomes Among Inner-City Children and Adults in Low-Income Households
The University of Texas at Arlington
Summary
The primary goal of this study is to investigate the comparative long-term (i.e., 1-year) effectiveness of energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) and portable air cleaners (PACs) in reducing indoor air pollutants and mold levels and improving asthma-related health outcomes in inner-city children and adults with asthma in low-income households in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metropolitan area, TX. Secondary goals include: (1) examining associations among asthma outcomes, exposure to indoor air pollutants and mold, and housing-related factors, (2) conducting a cost-benefit analysis of ERV and PAC interventions for improving IAQ, mold control, and health outcomes, and (3) evaluating the utility of cost-effective methods and protocols for measuring IAQ and mold for indoor air pollution epidemiology studies and for providing practical information to patients and their physicians. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial, 80 households will be assigned to receive active or placebo versions of ERVs or PACs. Environmental exposures and housing conditions will be monitored alongside comprehensive health assessments, including lung function tests and validated surveys on asthma control, quality of life, stress, and sleep quality.
Description
This study will evaluate the long-term effectiveness of energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) and portable air cleaners (PACs) in reducing indoor concentrations of air pollutants and mold, and improving health outcomes among children and adults with asthma. The study design will utilize a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial with 1-year observation and 1-year intervention periods. Eligible children (n ≥ 40) and adults (n ≥ 40) with asthma from 80 households will be recruited from an applicant pool for RTNTX home retrofit programs. Participants will…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 5+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals with physician-diagnosed asthma, including both adults and children aged 5-17 * Homeowners living in the DFW metropolitan area, TX Exclusion Criteria: * Participants living in homes with any smokers
Interventions
- DeviceEnergy Recovery Ventilator
A mechanical ventilation system that exchanges stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air while transferring heat and moisture between the incoming and outgoing air streams
- DevicePortable Air Cleaner
A standalone home device that filters indoor air to remove particulate matter, allergens, and other pollutants
- DeviceEnergy Recovery Ventilator (Sham)
A home-installed ERV unit that operates in recirculation mode only, providing no fresh air exchange or heat/moisture transfer, serving as a placebo for study purposes.
- DevicePortable Air Cleaner (Sham)
A portable air cleaner that appears to operate like an active unit but does not contain a HEPA filter and does not clean the air, serving as a placebo for study purposes
Locations (2)
- University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington, Texas
- Rebuilding Together North TexasPlano, Texas