Families in W12 Being Asked to Join Air Quality Research Project
Imperial College paying cash to parents of asthmatic children to take part
Residents walking along Uxbridge Road in Shepherd’s Bush
August 28, 2023
Families with asthmatic children in W12 being encouraged to join Imperial College London’s research project into how air quality affects our health.
The WellHome study will measure indoor air quality levels over a year, with participating families receiving up to £300. Families with a W12 postcode or those who live by Ravenscourt Park, Brook Green, Wendell Park, Emlyn Gardens, Iffley Road, Frank Banfield Park or Parson’s Green will be given priority.
Families across H&F and neighbouring boroughs can also sign up now.
As part of the study, small and discrete sensors are used to measure air pollution, temperature and humidity levels inside the home, while samplers capture chemical, biological and microplastic contaminants.
Homes in the study will receive £300 for their contribution. They will be among the first in the UK to monitor seasonal air quality and will help inform future UK policy and decision-making on the issue.
“I decided to take part in this project because of my children,” said Shepherd’s Bush resident Mounira, mum to Kamyl (9) and Lisa (6).
Together with her children, Mounira has lived in Sundew Avenue just off the A40 for seven years.
“There is constant heavy traffic. I often wonder whether I am letting pollution in or out when I open my windows.”
Mounira’s daughter, Lisa, suffers from severe eczema – a long-term chronic condition that causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked. Air pollution is known to be a common trigger for flare-ups.
WellHome Study participant Mounira and her children welcome Professor Frank Kelly into their home
Although we spend approximately 90 per cent of our time indoors, almost all research on the topic has been on studies of outdoor air.
Mounira added, “The project can help me shed light on the level of these in our home.
“Being part of this project has already helped my family in so many ways.
“It gave us the opportunity to take part in workshops and fun activities that have helped improve our knowledge about our air and health quality.”
Imperial College London is looking for H&F households who:
- have at least one child with asthma
- are planning to reside at the same address for a minimum of 12 months
- do not have smokers living in the home.
Sign up now or learn more about the project in Imperial’s short video on YouTube or participant information sheet.
For further questions, email Esther on wellhome@ic.ac.uk, or call 07596 955 26.
Meanwhile, the NHS’ #AskAboutAsthma campaign returns from 11 to 17 September to help children, young people and their parents and carers understand how to best manage asthma.
Asthma is one of the top three causes of emergency admission to hospital, with 1,375 children taken to hospital last year. One-hundred and thirty-two people in London were admitted into intensive care with an asthma diagnosis between 2021 and 2022.
Seventy-five per cent of these admissions would be avoidable through better asthma management, including regular asthma reviews, correct inhaler use, and knowing about the potential impact of air pollution.
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