This report summarizes the indoor air quality and saliva biomarker data collected during our most recent visit to your home.

Understanding Your Indoor Air Quality

Why Are We Studying Indoor Air Pollution?

In this study, we are investigating how indoor air pollution may impact children’s health. Indoor air pollution comes from a lot of different sources, including routine daily activities like vacuuming, cooking, or opening a window to let fresh air in. Portable air cleaners like the one in your home can help remove air pollution and potentially reduce its effect on children’s health. These devices are especially good at removing indoor particulate matter from the air.

What is Particulate Matter?

Figure 1. Size comparisons for different types of particulate matter (Source: US Environmental Protection Agency)

Particulate matter is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets that are suspended in the air. Particulate matter is found in a range of sizes (Figure 1). We are most concerned about particulate matter that is smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter (PM10) and smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5) because these types of particles are small enough to enter deep into your lungs. Particulate matter is made up of things like dust, pollen, mold, and metals that can cause a variety of health effects, including respiratory Illness, asthma and COPD exacerbations, heart attacks, and premature death. Reducing exposures at home is a helpful way to reduce the risk of these adverse health effects.

In this study, we are measuring all of the PM in your air, not just PM10 or PM2.5. We call this type of measurement “total suspended particulate matter.”

Let’s take a look at your recent air quality:

Recent Indoor Particulate Matter Measurement

Based on samples collected during our most recent visit, we measured: 30 µg/m³ of particulate matter in your indoor air. This level was higher than the average level observed across all participants in the study (26.9 µg/m³).

Figure 2. Comparison of your indoor particulate matter concentrations to those from all the other participants in the study.

Change Compared to Previous Visits

Figure 3. Comparison of your most recent indoor particulate matter concentration compared to previous measurements in your home.

Portable Air Cleaner (PAC) Usage

Based on information collected during our most recent visit, we estimated that your PAC operated: TK % of the time .This amount of use was: Higher than / About the Same as / Lower than the average PAC use among all participants (Figure 4)

Figure 4. Comparison of your PAC use compared to that of all other participants in the study.

Estimated Electricity Cost

Change in PAC Use Over Time

Figure 5. Comparison of your most recent PAC use estimate to others previously estimated for your home.

Levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in Saliva Key Information

We also collected your child’s saliva during our visit. In their saliva, we looked at levels of markers related to inflammation and biological stress, including levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and uric acid.

It is important to remember that the tests we used to determine levels of CRP and uric acid in your child’s saliva were designed for research use ONLY and should not be used to make or guide medical or health decisions or behaviors. The results are not intended nor appropriate for clinical or medical use. Please consult with your child’s healthcare provider for questions regarding your child’s health.

Now, let’s take a look at your child’s recent saliva data:

Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in Saliva Key Information

What is CRP? CRP is one measure of immune system activation. Higher levels of CRP in saliva typically indicate higher levels of inflammation and biological stress.

How does CRP relate to air quality? Air pollution can trigger inflammation. Greater exposure to air pollution may be related to higher levels of CRP.

What else can change CRP levels? Since CRP is a measure of inflammation, sickness and injuries (to the mouth or body) can increase CRP levels. CRP concentrations may also change naturally across the day depending on when your child woke up.

Important Notice

The tests used in this study were developed for research purposes only. Results should NOT be used for diagnosis, treatment decisions, or medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider regarding any questions about your child’s health.

Your Child’s CRP Results

During the most recent study visit, CRP levels were:

Collection Day CRP Acid Level
Day 1 2.75
Day 2 3.06
Day 3 3.05

Average CRP across all three days: 2.91

Daily CRP Measurements

Figure 6. Levels of CRP (units) in child saliva samples on the last three days of data collection.

CRP Comparison with Previous Study Visits

Compared with previous visits, your child’s average CRP levels were: Higher than / About the Same as / Lower than

previous measurements.

Figure 7. Average CRP (units) levels in child saliva samples for all completed study visits.

Levels of Uric Acid in Saliva Key Information

What is uric acid? Uric acid is a one of the primary antioxidants in saliva. Uric acid levels in saliva may reflect antioxidant capacity, inflammation, metabolic activity, and biological stress. Higher levels of uric acid may indicate inflammation and biological stress, while low levels of uric acid may indicate low antioxidant capacity.

How does uric acid relate to air quality? Air pollution can trigger inflammation. Greater exposure to air pollution may be related to higher levels of uric acid. As an antioxidant, uric acid may protect the body against the negative effects of air pollution exposure.

What else can change uric acid levels? Uric acid levels in saliva may change naturally in response to the foods your child eats and recent exposures to stress and exercise.

Your Child’s Uric Acid Results

During the most recent study visit, uric acid levels were:

Collection Day Uric Acid Level
Day 1 3.49
Day 2 3.34
Day 3 3.28

Average uric acid across all three days: 3.36

Figure 8. Levels of uric acid (units) in child saliva samples on the last three days of data collection.

Uric Acid Comparison with Previous Study Visits

Compared with prior study visits, average uric acid levels were: Higher than / About the Same as / Lower than

previous measurements.

Figure 9. Average uric acid (units) levels in child saliva samples for all completed study visits.

Summary

Your average indoor particulate matter (PM) concentration was 30 µg/m³, compared with the overall study average of 26.9 µg/m³. This means your average PM concentration was higher than the study average. Compared with the distribution of PM measurements across the study, your average falls at the 73rd percentile. Your recorded PM concentrations ranged from 30 to 30 µg/m³, compared with the study-wide range of 15 to 35 µg/m³. During the study, your indoor PM concentration was reported as 30 µg/m³, with your PAC use reported at 55%. Your estimated energy cost associated with PAC use was $0.1. Regarding your biomarkers, your average C-reactive protein (CRP) level was 2.91, and your average uric acid level was 3.36. These measurements provide additional information about your biomarker profile.

Important Reminder

The biomarker results shown in this report are intended for research purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical information. Thank you for your participation in the PACR study. Your contributions help researchers better understand how indoor environmental exposures may affect children’s health.