Indoor air quality and pregnancy: a feasibility study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Indoor air quality and pregnancy: a feasibility study

• IRAS ID

  221163

• Contact name

  Edward Johnstone

• Contact email

  edward.johnstone@manchester.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  The University of Manchester

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 5 months, 27 days

• Research summary

  Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the quality of air in a particular building or structure, which may result in negative effects on the comfort and health status of the building tenants. This is determined, in part, by the level of pollution in the indoor environment. The World Health Organization (WHO) published a report confirming the link between exposure to indoor air pollution and 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 overall aim of this work will be 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), heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This specific study will focus on the feasibility of measuring IAQ in the residential homes of pregnant women across Greater Manchester and the collection and analysis of biological samples (placenta, maternal blood and cord blood). Indoor air particles will be measured and the mix of contributing factors such as home structure, ventilation and potential sources of indoor air pollutants will also be examined. Finally, biological samples from the pregnant women will be collected prior to (pre-delivery maternal blood) and after delivery (placenta and cord blood) to assess biomarkers of pollutant exposure.

• REC name

  South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  18/SC/0260

• Date of REC Opinion

  14 May 2018

• REC opinion

  Unfavourable Opinion