Health Effects of Ultraviolet Irradiation in Asthmatic Children's Homes

Abstract

Central UV irradiation was effective at reducing airway hyperresponsiveness manifested as PEFR variability and some clinical symptoms. A larger cohort controlled longitudinal study to validate the clinical health effects of UV irradiation as a primary indoor environmental intervention for allergic asthma is necessary to confirm this finding.

Household airborne Penicillium associated with peak expiratory flow variability in asthmatic children

“…Although remediation efforts have been shown to have a positive effect on health for other allergens such as house dust mite,29–31 there are limited studies looking at efforts to reduce or eliminate household fungi. Bernstein et al32 showed that UV irradiation of household air in the central air handling system decreased airway hyperresponsiveness as evidenced by lower PEFV and an improvement in some asthma symptoms in a small cohort (n = 19) of mold-sensitized asthmatic children.…”

Biomass smoke exposures: Health outcomes measures and study design

“…The majority of home-based studies have investigated a variety of interventions aimed at reducing allergen exposures in the home (Bernstein et al, 2006;Carter et al, 2001;Clougherty et al, 2006;Eggleston et al, 2005;Eggleston et al, 1999;Gergen et al, 1999;Gotzsche et al, 2004;Kercsmar et al, 2006;Krieger et al, 2005;Levy et al, 2006;McDonald et al, 2002;Morgan et al, 2004). With few exceptions, these studies have not directly targeted or assessed in-home PM exposures.…”

Childhood Asthma Management and Environmental Triggers

“…Multiple studies published in the past 15 years have shown a positive association between evident or measured dampness or mold and asthma severity or exacerbations, [80][81][82][83] and remediation of dampness sources and visible mold has been shown to reduce severe asthma exacerbations. 80,84 The specific causal agents for asthma exacerbations associated with dampness have not been identified but are thought to include fungal agents and/or other biological exposures, such as bacteria or dust mites, that thrive in dampness.…”

“…80,84 The specific causal agents for asthma exacerbations associated with dampness have not been identified but are thought to include fungal agents and/or other biological exposures, such as bacteria or dust mites, that thrive in dampness.…”