| Title: | Effect of a Novel Photoelectrochemical Oxidation Air Purifier on Nasal and Ocular Allergy Symptoms |
| Author(s): | Rao NG; Kumar A; Wong JS; Shridhar R; Goswami DY; |
| Address: | "Molekule, Inc., San Francisco, California. University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida. University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, Florida. Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida" |
| Journal Title: | Allergy Rhinol (Providence) |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 2152-6575 (Print) 2152-6567 (Electronic) 2152-6567 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "BACKGROUND: Photoelectrochemical oxidation (PECO) is a new air purification technology developed to reduce circulating indoor allergens. PECO removes particles as small as 0.1 nm with the destruction of organic matter otherwise not trapped by a traditional filter and removes volatile organic compounds. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that with daily use, the device would reduce user nasal and ocular allergy total symptom scores (TSS) within 4 weeks. METHODS: The study was performed among 46 individuals with self-reported allergies using a portable PECO air purifier. Self-reported TSS were calculated at baseline and weekly for 4 weeks following initiation of continuous use of the system. TSS was the sum of total nasal symptom scores (TNSS) and total ocular symptom scores (TOSS) for the week. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant change in overall TSS from baseline to 4 weeks (10.1 at baseline and 4.35 postintervention) resulting in a mean difference of 5.75 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.32-7.18; P < .0001). There was a statistically significant change in TNSS from baseline to 4 weeks (6.3 at baseline and 3.04 postintervention) resulting in a mean difference of 3.26 (95% CI 2.33-3.19; P < .0001). There was a statistically significant change in TOSS from baseline to 4 weeks (3.82 at baseline and 1.3 postintervention) resulting in a mean difference of 2.52 (95% CI 1.74-3.3; P < .0001). CONCLUSION: With the use of PECO air purification technology, TSS, TNSS, and TOSS decreased significantly. These improvements were consistent over the 4-week course of device use" |
| Keywords: | air purifier allergy asthma nasal ocular photoelectrochemical oxidation portable sleep; |
| Notes: | "PubMed-not-MEDLINERao, Nikhil G Kumar, Ambuj Wong, Jenny S Shridhar, Ravi Goswami, Dharendra Y eng 2018/07/07 Allergy Rhinol (Providence). 2018 Jun 21; 9:2152656718781609. doi: 10.1177/2152656718781609. eCollection 2018 Jan-Dec" |
