Impacts of residential indoor air quality and environmental risk factors on adult asthma-related health outcomes in Chicago, IL

Abstract

Background: Residential environments are known to contribute to asthma.

Objective: To examine the joint impacts of exposures to residential indoor and outdoor air pollutants and housing risk factors on adult asthma-related health outcomes.

Methods: We analyzed >1-year of data from 53 participants from 41 homes in the pre-intervention period of the Breathe Easy Project prior to ventilation and filtration retrofits. Health outcomes included surveys of asthma control, health-related quality of life, stress, and healthcare utilizations. Environmental assessments included quarterly measurements of indoor and outdoor pollutants (e.g., HCHO, CO, CO₂, NO₂, O₃, and PM), home walk-throughs, and surveys of environmental risk factors. Indoor pollutant concentrations were also matched with surveys of time spent at home to estimate indoor pollutant exposures.

Results: Cross-sectional analyses using mixed-effects models indicated that lower annual average asthma control test (ACT) scores were associated (p < 0.05) with higher indoor NO₂ (concentration/exposure: β = -2.42/-1.57), indoor temperature (β = -1.03 to -0.94), and mold/dampness (β = -3.09 to -2.41). In longitudinal analysis, lower ACT scores were also associated (p < 0.05) with higher indoor NO₂ concentrations (β = -0.29), PM₁ (concentration/exposure: β = -0.12/-0.24), PM_2.5 (concentration/exposure: β = -0.12/-0.26), and PM₁₀ (concentration/exposure: β = 10.14/-0.28). Emergency department visits were associated with poorer asthma control [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.84; p < 0.001], physical health (IRR = 0.95; p < 0.05), mental health (IRR = 0.95; p < 0.05), higher I/O NO₂ ratios (IRR = 1.30; p < 0.05), and higher indoor temperatures (IRR = 1.41; p < 0.05).

Significance: Findings suggest that residential risk factors, including indoor air pollution (especially NO₂ and particulate matter), higher indoor temperature, and mold/dampness, may contribute to poorer asthma control.

Impact: This study highlights the importance of residential indoor air quality and environmental risk factors for asthma control, health-related quality of life, and emergency department visits for asthma. Two timescales of mixed models suggest that exposure to indoor NO₂ and particulate matter, higher indoor temperature, and mold/dampness was associated with poorer asthma control. Additionally, emergency department visits were associated with poorer asthma control and health-related quality of life, as well as higher I/O NO₂ ratios and indoor temperatures. These findings deepen our understanding of the interrelationships between housing, air quality, and health, and have important implications for programs and policy.

Keywords: Adult asthma; Air pollution; Quality of life; Residential environmental conditions; Stress.