Study of Indoor Air Pollutants and Their Impact in Childhood Health and Wellbeing

Summary

The number and types of indoor air pollutants in schools is rising, however little is known about the impact of their potentially synergistic interactions, upon schoolchildren health. Among children, highly susceptible individuals to air pollution include allergy and asthma sufferers, and a low socioeconomic background, however no specific guidance is available.

The Syn-Air-G project will develop a comprehensive and responsive multipollutant monitoring system (in accessible and actionable formats) by constructing and deploying novel but validated and improved sensors of chemical and biological (allergens, microbes) pollutants) and advancing environmentally friendly interventions (including air purifiers). Health: A comprehensive multidisciplinary and exposome approach of health effects of multi-pollution in small children.

Conditions

• Asthma in Children
• Allergy

Interventions

OTHER

Performing lung function tests (spirometry and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO))

Performing lung function tests and FeNO following European Respiratory Society (ERS) standardized guidelines, through the MIR portable spirometer and the NIOX Vero®, respectively. Spirometry is performed using a portable spirometer. All manoeuvres are performed according to the American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) standards. FeNO test is a quick and non-invasive test that is easy for children to do. To take the test, the child have to blow into a handheld device (NIOX Vero®). More in detail, children are asked to inhale ambient air through a nitrogen oxide scrubber to total lung capacity, and then exhale for 10 seconds. The test results are available right away.

OTHER

Filling of standardized questionnaires

(Baseline, Follow-up, Quality of life and Final) allowing to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, health outcomes, potential risk factors, lifestyle and living environment. Health outcomes will consider general health (general status, infections, allergies), respiratory health (asthma symptoms, diagnosis, control, triggers, medications, etc.), perception of health and well-being.

OTHER

Using an App on a device

Children will have to answer a daily questionnaire on cell phone, tablet, computer...), with the help of parents/caregivers. To encourage children to answer the questions, the questionnaires will be incorporated into a game that will also teach them about environmental challenges and pollutants in Europe. There will be a general health questionnaire with 3 questions assessed on a Likert scale. The application will also include 2 questions on respiratory health, with Yes/No answers. If the answer is Yes to one of the questions, the intensity of symptoms will be assessed on a visual analog scale from 0 to 100 (0 almost no symptoms and 100 the most intense symptoms imaginable).

OTHER

Urine sample

On a voluntary basis, a urine sample will be collected, as well.

OTHER

Sensors and devices will be used to assess air pollutants in classrooms during the survey

* Particulate matter (PM) will be assessed with a counter as a well as a remote sensor (Canarin) . * Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs) with a passive sampler (Radiello). * Virus and bacteria will be collected with a pump. The devices will be attached to the classroom wall. In addition, dust pollution will be assessed by collecting dust with a vacuum cleaner in order to assess phthalates (Dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalates, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

  collaborator OTHER

• Tbilisi State Medical University

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Manchester

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Oulu

  collaborator OTHER

• University Hospital, Montpellier

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Davide CAIMMI, CAIMMI · CHU de Montpellier

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-01-30

Primary Completion

2027-09-01

Completion

2028-09-01

Countries

• France

Study Locations