空氣清淨機技術介入對工業區室內空氣污染物與氣喘患者健康改善之評估

目標：探討以光觸媒氧化及過濾空氣清淨技術移除工業區室內空氣污染物及改善氣喘患者介入後之健康效應。方法：對居住在重工業區之58名氣喘病患進行雙盲交叉設計研究，將受試者隨機分為PCO組與附加濾網之PCO+filter組。PCO+filter組在第一階段介入PCO+filter空氣清淨機兩週；經過兩週的效應排除重置期（washout period），將濾網移除進入第二階段之PCO空氣清淨機介入兩週。PCO組與PCO+filter組的第一階段與第二階段互為相對。介入期間測量清淨機介入前後之室內粒狀（PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10, TSP, UFPs）和氣狀（CO, SO2, NO2, CO2, TVOC）等空氣污染物移除及健康效應（肺功能、血壓、FeNO、ACT score、Symptom score）。結果：污染物部分，PCO組中觀察到室內SO2、TVOC等氣狀污染物顯著下降；PCO+filter組中觀察到PM、CO、NO2、TVOC等污染物顯著下降。健康效應部分，肺功能在第7天就觀察到上升，血壓在第13天觀察到顯著下降，問卷分數在兩組皆觀察到改善，且症狀具臨床顯著改善。結論：居住在高污染工業地區之敏感族群，可藉由介入空氣清淨機技術的方式來減緩空污對健康的不良影響。

Objectives: This study investigated the effectiveness of photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) and air filtration technology for removing indoor air pollutants and improving the health of patients with asthma. Methods: A double-blind crossover study was conducted. In total, 58 patients with asthma residing in a heavily industrialized area were recruited. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: a PCO group and a PCO+filter group. The PCO+filter group underwent an intervention that consisted of a 2-week period using a PCO and a filter, a 2-week washout period, and a 2-week period using only a PCO. The PCO group followed the same sequence, with interventions reversed. During the intervention period, measurements were taken to assess the removal of indoor particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10, TSP, and UFPs), gaseous pollutants (CO, SO2, NO2, CO2, and TVOC), and their effect on health outcomes, including lung function, blood pressure, FeNO levels, ACT score, and symptoms. Results: Significant reductions in indoor gaseous pollutants, such as SO2 and TVOC, were observed in the PCO group. Significant reductions in PM, CO, NO2, and TVOC were observed in the PCO+filter group. Improvements in lung function were observed after only 7 days, and significant reductions in blood pressure were observed after 13 days. Both groups reported improvements in symptoms. Conclusions: Individuals living in highly polluted industrial areas can mitigate the adverse health effects of air pollution by adopting air purifier technology.