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Home interventions are effective at decreasing indoor nitrogen dioxide concentrations
Author(s) -
Paulin L. M.,
Diette G. B.,
Scott M.,
McCormack M. C.,
Matsui E. C.,
CurtinBrosnan J.,
Williams D. L.,
KiddTaylor A.,
Shea M.,
Breysse P. N.,
Hansel N. N.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
indoor air
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.387
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 1600-0668
pISSN - 0905-6947
DOI - 10.1111/ina.12085
Subject(s) - stove , hepa , bedroom , indoor air quality , air purifier , nitrogen dioxide , ventilation (architecture) , environmental science , waste management , environmental engineering , chemistry , engineering , mechanical engineering , civil engineering , electrical engineering , organic chemistry , filter (signal processing) , inlet
Nitrogen dioxide ( NO 2 ), a by‐product of combustion produced by indoor gas appliances such as cooking stoves, is associated with respiratory symptoms in those with obstructive airways disease. We conducted a three‐armed randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of interventions aimed at reducing indoor NO 2 concentrations in homes with unvented gas stoves: (i) replacement of existing gas stove with electric stove; (ii) installation of ventilation hood over existing gas stove; and (iii) placement of air purifiers with high‐efficiency particulate air ( HEPA ) and carbon filters. Home inspection and NO 2 monitoring were conducted at 1 week pre‐intervention and at 1 week and 3 months post‐intervention. Stove replacement resulted in a 51% and 42% decrease in median NO 2 concentration at 3 months of follow‐up in the kitchen and bedroom, respectively ( P = 0.01, P = 0.01); air purifier placement resulted in an immediate decrease in median NO 2 concentration in the kitchen (27%, P < 0.01) and bedroom (22%, P = 0.02), but at 3 months, a significant reduction was seen only in the kitchen (20%, P = 0.05). NO 2 concentrations in the kitchen and bedroom did not significantly change following ventilation hood installation. Replacing unvented gas stoves with electric stoves or placement of air purifiers with HEPA and carbon filters can decrease indoor NO 2 concentrations in urban homes.