Investigating the use of low-cost air quality sensors in individualizing asthma care plans for pediatric patients
Kumar, Sankalp
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Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/121379
Description
Title
Investigating the use of low-cost air quality sensors in individualizing asthma care plans for pediatric patients
Author(s)
Kumar, Sankalp
Issue Date
2023-07-21
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Verma, Vishal
Koloutsou-Vakakis, Sotiria
Department of Study
Civil & Environmental Eng
Discipline
Environ Engr in Civil Engr
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
Air Quality
Asthma
Pediatric patient
IAQ
Low-cost sensors
Abstract
Air pollution poses a significant threat to human health, particularly to children with asthma. The current study investigates the integration of Low-Cost Sensors (LCS) to monitor indoor air quality (IAQ) and develop individualized care plans for pediatric asthma patients. The present study begins with a comprehensive review of the impact of air pollution on children's health and the mechanisms by which air pollutants contribute to the development and exacerbation of asthma. Despite a decrease in household air pollution, asthma remains a leading chronic childhood disease. Monitoring and controlling air pollutants are crucial to mitigate their impact on children's health, especially in vulnerable populations, such as low-income families and urban communities.
The emergence of LCS provides an innovative approach for monitoring IAQ trends. However, concerns regarding the reliability of these sensors highlight the need for standardized protocols and performance evaluations. This study evaluates the performance of selected LCS in laboratory and home environments. The LCS are tested for accuracy, precision, and ease of use against reference monitors for parameters such as PM2.5, temperature, and relative humidity. The results show variations in the performance of different LCS, with some sensors demonstrating better correlation and accuracy than others.
Based on the evaluation results, a pilot study is conducted to assess the feasibility of integrating LCS in individualized asthma care plans for pediatric patients. The pilot study involves the deployment of LCS in the homes of four low-income pediatric asthma patients. The IAQ data collected from LCS, along with caregiver-provided information, helps identify prominent sources of indoor air pollution and potential mitigation strategies. The study highlights the impact of household activities, such as cooking and cleaning, on IAQ and emphasizes the importance of ventilation in reducing pollutant concentrations.
Despite challenges in sensor deployment and operational difficulties, the pilot study demonstrates the potential of LCS to provide valuable information for developing individualized care plans. The data collected can assist medical caregivers in understanding IAQ trends and implementing targeted interventions to improve air quality and asthma control for pediatric patients. The study concludes with recommendations for the use of LCS in clinical practice and the need for social programs to support low-cost IAQ mitigation measures for low-income households.
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