Acute Health Effects Due to Ultrafine Particles From Candles and Cooking

University of Aarhus

Status: Completed

Conditions: Asthma; Subjective Health; Candle Burning; DNA Damage; Cooking; Lung Function Decreased

Treatments: Other: Particles from cooking; Other: Clean Air; Other: Particles from candles

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04315740

191100

Details and patient eligibility

About

People spend up to 90% of their life indoor, and the way we live and behave in our homes has substantial effects on our health and well-being. Particle contamination is suggested to have substantial negative effects on health, with candles and cooking emitting the largest amount of particles, thus being the largest contributors to indoor air pollution.

The overall aim of the present project is to contribute to increased understanding of the association between indoor particulate air pollution and health and well-being.

Full description

Introduction: People spend up to 90% of their life indoor, and the way we live and behave in our homes has substantial effects on our health and well-being. Particle contamination is suggested to have substantial negative effects on health, with candles and cooking emitting the largest amount of particles, thus being the largest contributors to indoor air pollution. Little is known about the potential adverse health effects of candles and cooking, and people with asthma may be more susceptible.

Aim: To investigate local and systemic effects of short-term exposure to lit candles and cooking among young asthmatics.

Design: In a randomised double-blinded cross-over study non-smoking asthmatics (18-25 years) were exposed for five hours at three different exposure conditions separated by 14 days; A) clean filtered air, B) lit candles and C) cooking emissions under controlled environmental conditions.

Measurements: TSI P-TRAK Ultrafine Particle Counter was used for particle counts. Health effects, including lung function (FEV1/FVC) and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were evaluated in relation to local and systemic effects prior to, right after and 24 h. after exposure.

Analysis: Mixed methods approach taking both time and exposure into account.

Enrollment: 36 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 15 to 25 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 15-25
• Medically treated / physician diagnosed mild seasonal asthma
• Never smoker or ex-smoker ≥ 6 months
• Allergy > 1 common allergy

Exclusion criteria

• Any other disease that could influence the study parameters
• Conditions that prevent safe access to the climate chambers (such as claustrophobia)
• Perennial asthma
• Need for continuous medical treatment for asthma
• Pregnancy

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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36 participants in 3 patient groups

Clean Air

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Just clean air - no exposure

Treatment:

Other: Clean Air

Cooking

Experimental group

Description:

Four ovens were frying pork - one at a time. When the first oven finished, the next oven started and so forth for approx. 7 hours.

Treatment:

Other: Particles from cooking

Candles

Experimental group

Description:

10 lit candles were placed at a table. Burning for approx. 7 hours with light ventilation.

Treatment:

Other: Particles from candles