Acceptability of air purifiers to reduce traffic-related particulate exposure near a highway

• DOI: 10.1289/isee.2022.p-0210
• Publication Date: 2023-01-17T18:15:37Z
• Authors: Doug Brugge; Anil Gurcan; Teresa Vazquez-Do...; Neelakshi Hudda; Amy Mertl; Shir Ginzburg; Wig Zamore; Warren Goldstein-...; Misha Eliasziw; Linda Sprague Mar...
• Keywords: Air purifier; Bedroom

Background and aim: Traffic-related ultrafine particle pollution near highways has been associated with adverse health. Reducing exposure by use of portable air purifiers in homes is one way to try reduce this risk. However, acceptability having not well studied. Methods: We collected data via questionnaires (N=43 surveys at the end first month intervention), interviews (N=19) HOBO monitors on (N=14) from participants our randomized crossover trial a major highway. Results: From survey questions, only 17% 12% were bothered noise purifier living room bedroom, respectively. Most respondents, 75% 68%, again for reported they set medium flow. In qualitative interviews, Seventy-four percent (74%) that did move their purifiers, but 63% changed fan speed, many or Only 21% said ever turned it off. Space, noise, airflow energy consumption main concerns while cleaner air, improved symptoms white positives. Data electricity indicates >95% compliance consistent setting (majority choose medium) during intervention. have had few drop out after home collection visit, 36 completing entire intervention, 20 still actively intervention lost follow-up. Conclusions: Evidence surveys, suggests small minority space issues movement are largely accepted used residents highway, albeit settings below maximal