Indoor air quality and pregnancy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Indoor air quality and pregnancy
IRAS ID
221163
Contact name
Edward Johnstone
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the quality of air in a particular building and structures, which may give negative effects towards building tenants in terms of comfort and health status and it determines the level of pollution in an indoor environment. The World Health Organization (WHO) was published a report confirming the link between exposure to indoor air pollution towards adverse human health effects such as acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, tuberculosis, infections, cardiovascular disease, cataracts and also importantly adverse pregnancy outcomes (WHO, 2016a). The effects on pregnancy outcomes have been highlighted since pregnant women spend the majority of their time at home indoors and the biggest environmental factor affecting pregnancy is likely to be home IAQ (Ghosh et al., 2013). The aim of this study is to better understand the association of IAQ and adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly intrauterine growth restrictions, by focusing on the specific indoor air pollutants such as indoor air particles (particulate matter) and heavy metals. The measurement of indoor air particles and other pollutants will be conducted in the residential homes of pregnant women living in the Greater Manchester. The mix of contributing factors such as home structure, ventilation and potential sources of indoor air pollutants will also be examined. Finally, the biological samples from the pregnant women will be collected prior (pre-delivery maternal blood) and after (placenta and cord blood) the delivery process for the analysis of biological mechanism related to this issue.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0596
Date of REC Opinion
7 Feb 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Unfavourable Opinion