In a unique study carried out by the American Academy of Pediatrics, a group of children diagnosed with asthma and who are regularly exposed to second hand tobacco smoke (SHS) were monitored over a 12 month period. The aim of the study was to measure the effects of using an Austin HEPA air purifier in the children’s home environment, with respect to reducing the number of unscheduled hospital visits.
Today a staggering 24 million Americans suffer from asthma and nearly half of those are children. It is generally thought the main factors that contribute to asthma are a combination of genetics and our environment. Environmental factors include dust mites, pollution, pet dander, molds, chemicals and tobacco smoke.
Medications such as inhalers and steroids are used in part, to treat the condition. However sufferers must also avoid these environmental triggers, which is not always easy to do.
Previous studies have shown that children exposed to SHS are 1.5 times more likely to develop asthma than children from smoke free homes. Consequently, a remarkable 130,000 children in the US have asthma as a result of SHS. Furthermore, exposure to SHS can trigger asthmatic symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.
Austin Air was involved in a study that monitored 225 children aged between 6 and 12, for a 12 month period. The children were split into 2 groups. Each child in the first group was assigned 2 Austin Air HEPA air purifiers.
Each child in the second group was assigned 2 identical air purifiers but with non HEPA filters, containing only a basic pre-filter cloth. The assignment of the machines was random and no one in the research team or the study group knew who had which machine. The air purifiers were to be run in the bedroom at night and in the main family room during the day. Each air purifier was equipped with a monitor to ensure that they were run for a sufficient length of time. Our units are designed to run 24/7. A continuous air flow exchange allows the filter to be 100% efficient, guaranteeing the air is as clean as it can be.
The objective of the study was to establish whether asthma related unscheduled hospital visits could be reduced when using HEPA filtration at home. The results showed a significant difference between the 2 groups. Over a 12 month period, the number of visits to the emergency room for the group using HEPA filtration was reduced dramatically. Confirming what we at Austin have known for many years. By improving the quality of air for our customers and specifically those with severe respiratory problems, we can help to alleviate many of the symptoms associated with diseases such as asthma.
This trial is the first of its kind. Despite the fact that the cause of asthma for many thousands of children can be attributed to SHS exposure, no previous trials have studied the use of HEPA air purifiers as a treatment for children exclusively. And no trials involving HEPA air purifiers have studied children with asthma in environments where there is SHS.
The results of this study suggest that by using an Austin Air HEPA air purifier, the lives of thousands of children can be changed. By using an air purifier at home and improving indoor air quality, a significant number of emergency room visits can be completely eliminated. Furthermore, by reducing the need for emergency treatment, we can potentially reduce the number of asthma related deaths in the US today.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics Study
Effects of HEPA Air Cleaners on Unscheduled (Asthma Related) Hospital Visits for Children Exposed to Secondhand Tobacco Smoke
