HEPA Purifiers for Indoor Air Pollution

Overseen By Jennifer Dobson, MPH

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

Disqualifiers: Plan to move, Using HEPA, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 weeks

15 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if HEPA air purifiers can enhance indoor air quality and reduce respiratory issues in Alaska Native children living in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Homes in this area often use woodstoves or have smokers, which can worsen air quality. Families with children under five who live in such homes can participate if they don't plan to move and aren't already using HEPA purifiers. Participants will use the provided purifiers and report their child's respiratory symptoms over 12 weeks. The goal is to assess whether cleaner air leads to fewer coughs and wheezes. As an unphased trial, this study allows families to contribute to important research that could improve children's health in their community.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What prior data suggests that HEPA purifiers are safe for improving indoor air quality?

Research has shown that HEPA purifiers are safe for home use. These devices clean the air by removing tiny particles called PM2.5, which can harm the lungs. Studies have found that HEPA filters significantly reduce these particles, potentially lessening symptoms like coughing and wheezing, especially for those with lung issues.

No known negative effects arise from using HEPA purifiers at home. They filter the air without releasing harmful substances. Some research suggests that these purifiers can also reduce airborne viruses, providing an additional benefit for indoor air quality.

Overall, using a HEPA purifier is a safe way to make home air cleaner and healthier, particularly if a woodstove is present or if there is tobacco smoke. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about HEPA purifiers as a treatment for indoor air pollution because they offer a non-invasive and drug-free approach to improving air quality. Unlike standard options like reducing pollution sources or increasing ventilation, HEPA purifiers actively filter out harmful particles from the air, including dust, pollen, and smoke. This method provides a direct and immediate way to enhance indoor air quality, which is particularly appealing for those with respiratory conditions or allergies. Moreover, the ease of use and accessibility of HEPA purifiers make them an attractive option for a wide range of environments, from homes to offices.

What evidence suggests that HEPA purifiers are effective for improving indoor air quality and reducing respiratory symptoms in children?

Research has shown that HEPA air purifiers effectively reduce indoor air pollution. They lower tiny particles, such as PM2.5, by about 50-60%. These particles can harm the lungs. By reducing them, HEPA purifiers help decrease breathing problems like coughing and wheezing, especially in homes with woodstoves or smokers. In other settings, HEPA filters have reduced fine particles by more than half, resulting in cleaner air. This trial will provide participants with HEPA purifiers to use daily for 12 weeks, aiming to improve air quality and reduce breathing issues in the YK Delta region. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Alaska Native families with a child under 5 years old living in homes using woodstoves or where someone smokes. It aims to improve air quality and reduce respiratory issues by testing HEPA purifiers.

Inclusion Criteria

I am an Alaska Native living in a home with a woodstove or with someone who smokes.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants set up and operate HEPA purifiers and air monitoring equipment in their homes, with weekly reporting of child's respiratory symptoms

12 weeks

Weekly reports (phone or text)

Follow-up

Participants return air monitoring equipment and are monitored for any changes in respiratory symptoms

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• HEPA Purifiers

Trial Overview The study tests if HEPA air purifiers can lower indoor pollution (PM2.5 levels) from woodstoves and tobacco, potentially reducing coughs and wheezing in children in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Single group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants receive HEPA purifiers and air monitoring equipment to operate daily for 12-weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

Lead Sponsor

Trials

20

Recruited

9,600+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Portable HEPA air cleaners significantly reduce indoor PM2.5 levels, with an average decrease from 33.5 µg/m3 to 17.2 µg/m3, demonstrating their effectiveness in improving indoor air quality.

The study found that the most effective reduction in PM2.5 levels occurred with medium-flow setting machines, highlighting the importance of machine type, airflow speed, and window ventilation in optimizing air cleaner performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of HEPA Air Cleaner on Improving Indoor Particulate Matter 2.5 Concentration. Chen, CF., Hsu, CH., Chang, YJ., et al.[2023]

The use of an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) significantly reduced indoor PM2.5 concentrations in homes, with a geometric mean reduction indicating its effectiveness as an air purifying device.

Participants with a history of respiratory exacerbations had higher PM2.5 levels compared to those without, suggesting that the ESP could be particularly beneficial for vulnerable populations, such as smokers or those with respiratory issues.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Continuous in-home PM2.5 concentrations of smokers with and without a history of respiratory exacerbations in Iowa, during and after an air purifier intervention. Stapleton, EM., Simmering, JE., Manges, RB., et al.[2021]

The study found that using compact High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter systems in homes significantly reduces indoor aerosol concentrations, with reductions of 63% for coarse particles and 76% for inorganic submicron particles.

This reduction in aerosol levels suggests that HEPA filters can improve indoor air quality and potentially benefit individuals with respiratory issues, such as asthma, by decreasing exposure to harmful fine particles.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Microanalysis of indoor aerosols and the impact of a compact high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter system. Abraham, ME.[2019]

In a study involving 172 households in areas with high outdoor air pollution, high-efficiency air filtration systems significantly improved indoor air quality, reducing PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 48% and 31%, respectively.

Stand-alone HEPA air cleaners were more effective than central system filters, and keeping windows closed while using these systems further enhanced indoor air quality.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reductions in particulate matter concentrations resulting from air filtration: A randomized sham-controlled crossover study. Bennett, DH., Moran, RE., Krakowiak, P., et al.[2022]

In a study involving nine patients allergic to house dust mites, an air-cleaning device with a HEPA filter did not significantly reduce indoor levels of Dermatophagoides sp. allergens or improve symptoms related to bronchial hyperresponsiveness and rhinitis over a 2-month period.

Although the mean level of allergens decreased spontaneously during the study, the air-cleaner alone was found to be insufficient as a substitute for standard avoidance measures for managing mite allergies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of an air-cleaning device equipped with a high efficiency particulate air filter in house dust mite respiratory allergy. Antonicelli, L., Bilò, MB., Pucci, S., et al.[2021]

Domestic HEPA air purifiers significantly reduce indoor PM2.5 concentrations, with notable decreases observed 24 and 48 hours after operation, indicating their effectiveness in improving indoor air quality.

The purifiers have varying effects on different elemental constituents of PM2.5, with significant changes noted for elements like aluminum, iron, and titanium, suggesting that while overall PM2.5 levels stabilize, specific pollutants may still be influenced by external factors like proximity to traffic.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Effects of high-efficiency particulate air purifiers on indoor fine particulate matter and its constituents in a district of Beijing during winter]. Chu, MT., Dong, W., Chi, R., et al.[2018]

In a study involving 540 non-smoking pregnant women in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the use of portable HEPA filter air cleaners resulted in a 29% reduction in indoor PM2.5 concentrations compared to control apartments, demonstrating their effectiveness in high pollution settings.

The air cleaners also contributed to a 14% decrease in blood cadmium levels among participants, indicating reduced exposure to secondhand smoke, particularly effective shortly after deployment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of portable HEPA filter air cleaners on indoor PM2.5 concentrations and second hand tobacco smoke exposure among pregnant women in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: The UGAAR randomized controlled trial. Barn, P., Gombojav, E., Ochir, C., et al.[2018]

Room air filters can effectively reduce particulate matter (PM) concentrations by 30-70% in homes with heavy cigarette smoking, demonstrating their efficacy in improving indoor air quality.

The filters maintained their performance over a 2-month period, but users may need reminders to clean prefilters to ensure optimal airflow and efficiency.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Long duration tests of room air filters in cigarette smokers' homes. Batterman, S., Godwin, C., Jia, C.[2022]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9516965/

Efficacy of HEPA Air Cleaner on Improving Indoor Particulate ... HEPA air cleaners significantly reduce indoor PM2.5 levels, with the strongest reduction in medium-flow settings. Adequate machine numbers and ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S240584402102079X

Assessing effectiveness of air purifiers (HEPA) for ... The effectiveness of AP II in general indoor air was found maximal (73%) for PM0.5 and minimal (37%) for PM2.5. All PMs showed non-significant (p>0.05) ...

3. aaqr.org aaqr.org/articles/aaqr-23-08-oa-0202

Real-World Effectiveness of Portable Air Cleaners in ... PACs equipped with filters are generally inexpensive, practical, and known to reduce indoor PM2.5 levels by typically 50–60% in experimental interventions, ...

4. jacc.org jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2025.06.037

Effect of HEPA Filtration Air Purifiers on Blood Pressure We conducted a pragmatic randomized crossover trial of the effect of high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) vs sham filtration on BP.

5. news.intermountainhealth.org news.intermountainhealth.org/indoor-hepa-filters-significantly-reduce-pollution-indoors-when-outside-air-is-unhealthy-study-finds/

Indoor HEPA Filters Significantly Reduce Pollution ... They found that the HEPA filters reduced fine particulate matter by 55 percent and particulate pollution outside coming inside was reduced by 23 ...

6. epa.gov epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/guide-air-cleaners-home

Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home | US EPA This short consumer guide covers portable air cleaners and furnace or HVAC filters used in a home. It includes tips for selecting a portable air cleaner, ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8449022/

Assessing effectiveness of air purifiers (HEPA) for controlling ... The effectiveness of AP II in general indoor air was found maximal (73%) for PM0.5 and minimal (37%) for PM2.5. All PMs showed non-significant ( ...

8. cleanair.camfil.us cleanair.camfil.us/2023/06/08/air-pollution-and-the-future-the-rising-importance-of-hepa-filtration/

Air Pollution and the Future: The Rising Importance of HEPA ... In fact, some studies suggest that air purifiers with HEPA filters can reduce the concentration of the virus that causes COVID-19 in the air.

9. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969720361143

Review of impacts on indoor air quality and health A systematic literature review was carried out to examine the impact of portable air purifiers (PAPs) on indoor air quality (PM 2.5 ) and health.

10. doh.wa.gov doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/air-quality/indoor-air/portable-air-cleaners

Portable Air Cleaners A portable air cleaner won't remove all indoor air pollutants. It's important to remove sources of contaminants and ventilate when outdoor air quality is good.