31 May Indoor Air Purifiers Reduce Cardiopulmonary Effects Of Severe Air Pollution

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Renjie Chen PhD and Dr. Haidong Kan, PhD
School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

MedicalResearch: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: Although several previous studies in developed countries with cleaner air have reported health benefits due to air filtration, no such interventional studies were conducted in a developing country with much severer air pollution problems. Our main findings suggested that even a short-term intervention (2 days) could significantly reduce indoor air pollution and improve cardiopulmonary health among healthy young adults.

MedicalResearch: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Response: Our study demonstrated that the use of indoor air purifiers was a practical way to reduce the potential cardiopulmonary risks associated with outdoor particulate air pollution in a country with severe air pollution problems. Clinicians should advise their patients with cardiopulmonary diseases to stay indoors and use an air purifier when outdoor particulate air pollution level was beyond the national standard limit.

MedicalResearch: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: Future studies should further evaluate the potential health benefits of long-term air purification among more vulnerable populations, such as children, older adults, or patients with cardiopulmonary diseases. Besides, the effectiveness of other potential individual interventions (face mask and dietary supplements such as fish oil) should also be evaluated in future research.

Citation:

Dr. Renjie Chen PhD and Dr. Haidong Kan, PhD School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, China (2015). Indoor Air Purifiers Reduce Cardiopulmonary Effects Of Severe Air Pollution MedicalResearch.com

Last Updated on May 31, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD