Long-term indoor air conditioner filtration and cardiovascular health: A randomized crossover intervention study

The association of short-term air pollution filtration with cardiovascular health has been documented. However, the effect of long-term indoor air conditioner filtration on the association between air pollution and cardiovascular health is still unclear. We recruited 200 homemakers from Taipei and r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environment international 2017-09, Vol.106, p.91-96
Main Authors: Chuang, Hsiao-Chi, Ho, Kin-Fai, Lin, Lian-Yu, Chang, Ta-Yuan, Hong, Gui-Bing, Ma, Chi-Ming, Liu, I-Jung, Chuang, Kai-Jen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Air Conditioning
Air Pollutants - adverse effects
Air Pollutants - analysis
Air pollution
Air Pollution, Indoor - adverse effects
Air Pollution, Indoor - analysis
Air Pollution, Indoor - prevention & control
Biomarkers - blood
Blood pressure
C-Reactive Protein - analysis
Cross-Over Studies
Deoxyguanosine - analogs & derivatives
Deoxyguanosine - blood
Epidemiology
Female
Fibrinogen - analysis
Filtration
Humans
Hypertension - blood
Hypertension - etiology
Hypertension - prevention & control
Indoor air filtration
Inflammation
Inflammation - blood
Inflammation - etiology
Inflammation - prevention & control
Male
Middle Aged
Oxidative Stress - physiology
Particulate Matter - adverse effects
Particulate Matter - analysis
Volatile Organic Compounds - adverse effects
Volatile Organic Compounds - analysis
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Summary:The association of short-term air pollution filtration with cardiovascular health has been documented. However, the effect of long-term indoor air conditioner filtration on the association between air pollution and cardiovascular health is still unclear. We recruited 200 homemakers from Taipei and randomly assigned 100 of them to air filtration or control intervention; six home visits were conducted per year from 2013 to 2014. The participants under air filtration intervention during 2013 were reassigned to control intervention in 2014. The air pollution measurements consisted of particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5μm in diameter (PM2.5) and total volatile organic compounds (VOCs); blood pressure was monitored for each participant during each visit. The following morning, blood samples were collected after air pollution monitoring. The blood samples were used to analyze biological markers, including high sensitivity-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and fibrinogen. Household information, including cleaning, cooking, and air conditioning, was collected by a questionnaire. Mixed-effects models were used to investigate the associations among air pollution measurements, blood pressure and biological markers. The results showed that increased levels of PM2.5 and total VOCs were associated with increased hs-CRP, 8-OHdG and blood pressure. The health variables were higher among participants in the control intervention phase than among those in the air filtration intervention phase. We concluded that air pollution exposure was associated with systemic inflammation, oxidative stress and elevated blood pressure. The long-term filtration of air pollution with an air conditioner filter was associated with cardiovascular health of adults. •Long-term filtration of indoor air can reduce air pollution exposure.•Long-term filtration of indoor air is associated with cardiovascular health.•Indoor air filtration is useful for general population health in urban environment.
ISSN:0160-4120
1873-6750
DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2017.06.008