Asthma Intervention With Residential Ventilation and Air Cleaner (AIRVAC) Study

Conditions studied

Asthma Control, Pulmonary Function, Quality of Life, Stress, Sleep Quality

About this study

The primary goal of this study is to investigate the comparative long-term (i.e., 1-year) effectiveness of energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) and portable air cleaners (PACs) in reducing indoor air pollutants and mold levels and improving asthma-related health outcomes in inner-city children and adults with asthma in low-income households in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metropolitan area, TX. Secondary goals include: (1) examining associations among asthma outcomes, exposure to indoor air pollutants and mold, and housing-related factors, (2) conducting a cost-benefit analysis of ERV and PAC interventions for improving IAQ, mold control, and health outcomes, and (3) evaluating the utility of cost-effective methods and protocols for measuring IAQ and mold for indoor air pollution epidemiology studies and for providing practical information to patients and their physicians. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial, 80 households will be assigned to receive active or placebo versions of ERVs or PACs. Environmental exposures and housing conditions will be monitored alongside comprehensive health assessments, including lung function tests and validated surveys on asthma control, quality of life, stress, and sleep quality.

Interventions

• Device: Energy Recovery Ventilator — A mechanical ventilation system that exchanges stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air while transferring heat and moisture between the incoming and outgoing air streams
• Device: Portable Air Cleaner — A standalone home device that filters indoor air to remove particulate matter, allergens, and other pollutants
• Device: Energy Recovery Ventilator (Sham) — A home-installed ERV unit that operates in recirculation mode only, providing no fresh air exchange or heat/moisture transfer, serving as a placebo for study purposes.
• Device: Portable Air Cleaner (Sham) — A portable air cleaner that appears to operate like an active unit but does not contain a HEPA filter and does not clean the air, serving as a placebo for study purposes

Primary outcomes

• Pulmonary Function (Spirometry) (Baseline; 6 months; 18 months; 24 months)
• Asthma Control Test Score (From enrollment to the end of intervention at 1 month (24 months in total))

Eligibility information

Study locations

• University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76010 United States
• Rebuilding Together North Texas, Plano, Texas 75025 United States