The Breath You Take: How Indoor Air Fuels Adult Asthma

For adult individuals managing asthma, the implementation of ventilation and exhaust systems, such as fans and air purifiers, particularly within kitchen and bathroom environments, represents a paramount strategy for mitigating the incidence of exacerbations within residential settings.

This conclusion emerges as the principal outcome from an extensive, state-wide investigation into the correlation between domestic environments and the health status of adults diagnosed with asthma in Texas.

The preponderance of prior research in this domain has predominantly centered on pediatric populations. However, acknowledging that the majority of asthma diagnoses in the United States pertain to adults, our inquiry specifically examined this demographic and their indoor living spaces.

Alexander Obeng, a doctoral candidate at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health and the primary author of this study

Dr. Obeng further elaborated that Texas was selected as an optimal location for this research due to its diverse climatic conditions and varied housing stock.

He observed that refrigerated air systems are ubiquitously employed across a significant portion of the state during warmer periods, a factor that inherently curtails natural air exchange and potentially elevates indoor pollutant concentrations. Furthermore, he noted that a considerable number of older residences, manufactured homes, and multi-unit dwellings are frequently beset by issues related to excessive humidity and pest infestations.

Within the framework of this investigation, which was disseminated in the journal Atmosphere, the research cohort meticulously analyzed data encompassing 1,600 adults diagnosed with asthma. This data, gathered between 2019 and 2022, was instrumental in evaluating the influence of household and environmental determinants on asthma morbidity within the Texan population. The team undertook a thorough analysis of four key indicators of asthma severity: acute attacks, symptomatic episodes, disruptions to sleep patterns, and limitations in performing daily activities, alongside their relationship with an individual’s surroundings.

“Our findings identified two primary instigators of asthma within the home environment: the absence of an exhaust fan in the kitchen and bathroom, and the presence of smoking, a revelation that corroborates established prior research,” stated Obeng.

Moreover, the study revealed a heightened propensity for individuals to experience asthma attacks, recurrent symptoms, or difficulties with nocturnal rest and physical activity if they smoked cigarettes or did not utilize air purification devices. Conversely, participants residing in households free from discernible mold, murine, or rodent issues, and without the presence of domestic furry animals, reported fewer asthma-related challenges.

“The encouraging aspect of our findings is that proactive measures can be implemented within the home to effectively manage asthma. These include enhancing air circulation, employing air purifiers, refraining from indoor smoking, and minimizing exposure to dust or pet-related allergens,” he remarked.

The gathered data also illuminated a disproportionate impact of asthma complications on women, elderly individuals, and Black adults when contrasted with other demographic segments. This observation is indicative of underlying disparities in socioeconomic status, the quality of housing, and access to healthcare services, factors that Dr. Obeng posited could exacerbate the burden of asthma for certain populations.

To alleviate the impact of asthma on these identified groups, the study advanced three strategic recommendations:

• Financial Assistance. The provision of vouchers or subsidies to facilitate low-income families in acquiring portable air purifiers, undertaking necessary home improvements, and enhancing their residential ventilation systems.
• Protective Measures for Tenants. The imposition of obligations upon property owners to uphold healthy air quality standards and rectify deficiencies in ventilation infrastructure.
• Enhanced Educational Initiatives. The integration of guidance from healthcare professionals to patients on methods for eliminating asthma triggers, such as dust or mold, from their homes as a routine component of their medical care.

“Adults typically expend up to 90% of their daily time indoors, environments where the air quality can, in fact, be more compromised than outdoor air,” Obeng asserted. “Meaningful environmental modifications within the home could significantly contribute to more effective management of asthma for affected adults.”

Faculty members associated with this research initiative included Genny Carrillo and Taehyun Roh, both affiliated with the Texas A&M School of Public Health, and Alejandro Moreno-Rangel from the University of Strathclyde in Scotland.