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We conducted a randomized trial of portable HEPA air cleaners in the homes of children age 6–12 years with asthma in the Yakima Valley, Washington. All families received asthma education while intervention families also received two HEPA cleaners (child's bedroom, living room). We collected 14‐day integrated samples of endotoxin in settled dust and PM10 and PM10‐2.5 in the air of the children's bedrooms at baseline and one‐year follow‐up, and used linear regression to compare follow‐up levels, adjusting for baseline. Seventy‐one families (36 HEPA, 35 control) completed the study. Baseline geometric mean (GSD) endotoxin loadings were 1565 (6.3) EU/m2 and 2110 (4.9) EU/m2, respectively, in HEPA vs. control homes while PM10 and PM10‐2.5 were 22.5 (1.9) μg/m3 and 9.5 (2.9) μg/m3, respectively, in HEPA homes, and 19.8 (1.8) μg/m3 and 7.7 (2.0) μg/m3, respectively, in control homes. At follow‐up, HEPA families had 46% lower (95% CI, 31%–57%) PM10 on average than control families, consistent with prior studies. In the best‐fit heterogeneous slopes model, HEPA families had 49% (95% CI, 6%–110%) and 89% lower (95% CI, 28%–177%) PM10‐2.5 at follow‐up, respectively, at 50th and 75th percentile baseline concentrations. Endotoxin loadings did not differ significantly at follow‐up (4% lower, HEPA homes; 95% CI, −87% to 50%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a randomized trial of portable HEPA air cleaners with pre‐filters designed to also reduce NH3 in non‐smoking homes of children age 6‐12 with asthma in Yakima Valley (Washington, USA). Participants were recruited through the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic asthma education program. All participants received education on home triggers while intervention families additionally received two HEPA cleaners (child's sleeping area, main living area). Fourteen‐day integrated samples of PM2.5 and NH3 were measured at baseline and one‐year follow‐up. We fit ANCOVA models to compare follow‐up concentrations in HEPA vs control homes, adjusting for baseline concentrations. Seventy‐one households (36 HEPA, 35 control) completed the study. Most were single‐family homes, with electric heat and stove, A/C, dogs/cats, and mean (SD) 5.3 (1.8) occupants. In the sleeping area, baseline geometric mean (GSD) PM2.5 was 10.7 (2.3) μg/m3 (HEPA) vs 11.2 (1.9) μg/m3 (control); in the living area, it was 12.5 (2.3) μg/m3 (HEPA) vs 13.6 (1.9) μg/m3 (control). Baseline sleeping area NH3 was 62.4 (1.6) μg/m3 (HEPA) vs 65.2 (1.8) μg/m3 (control). At follow‐up, HEPA families had 60% (95% CI, 41%‐72%; p <.0001) and 42% (19%‐58%; p =.002) lower sleeping and living area PM2.5, respectively, consistent with prior studies. NH3 reductions were not observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]