The Children's Environmental Health Clinic
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Barts Charity Children's Environmental Health Clinic
IRAS ID
325076
Contact name
Mays Jawad
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Barts health NHS trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 5 days
Research summary
The clinic will address the current need to make significant interventions in the health of children that are exposed to air pollution. After referral, children will undergo detailed environmental health evaluation by questionnaire, and vulnerability/exposure markers such as allergic sensitisation and salivary cotinine. Indoor exposures will be determined by fixed cutting-edge monitoring of PM1, PM.5, PM5, PM10, VOCs, black carbon, moulds, allergens, persistent organic pollutants, and dampness. Household ventilation will also be assessed. Exposure to traffic-derived outdoor pollution will be assessed by portable monitors. A personal environmental exposure report will be developed, and exposure-mitigation options discussed with the parents and child. Acceptability and efficacy of these options, including possible technological solutions such as air purification, will be assessed by structured feedback and follow up monitoring. Mitigation advice will then be adjusted, and reassessed if necessary. The Service’s staff will also act as advocates for change in accommodation for referred children with local councils, housing associations, and private landlords. Outputs of this service will also include scientific publications, media interviews, and presentations to local and national policy makers. The clinic will initially be set up as an NHS service, with the research element added once the appropriate ethical and procedural approvals have been achieved.
REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0352
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion