RCPCH Report on Indoor Air Quality and Child Health
https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2020-01/the-inside-story-report_january-2020.pdf
NICE Guidelines on Indoor Air Quality
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng149/resources/visual-summary-pdf-7022755693
NHS Guidance on Allergy Prevention
University of Manchester anti-dustmite bedding study
“The use of mite impermeable bedding in mite sensitised asthmatic children can significantly reduce the risk of severe exacerbations resulting in emergency hospital attendance.”
http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/rccm.201609-1966OC
Combined Virus infection & Allergen Exposure increase hospital risk
Study of modifiable risk factors for asthma exacerbations: virus infection and allergen exposure increase the risk of asthma hospital admissions in children – virus infection plus allergen present plus allergen sensitivity makes hospitalisation 20 x more likely
C S Murray, G Poletti, T Kebadze, J Morris, A Woodcock, S L Johnston, A Custovic Thorax 2006;61:376–382. doi: 10.1136/thx.2005.042523
California Program Clears the Air at Home
The interim results of this California study which removed allergic and non-allergic asthma triggers alongside prescribed medication has shown large reductions in hospitalisations.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/control-kids-asthma-california-program-clears-air-home/
Dispatches documentary – experiment in allergen removal
This documentary from 2006 was an experiment in removal of inhalant allergens from houses of children with asthma. The results showed a significant improvement in asthma symptoms. However, clinicians decided that the methods shown were unsustainable and no further action was taken. In fact, by following Allergy UK recommendations for comprehensive airborne allergen avoidance alongside prescribed medication, similar results can be achieved.
Avoidance also should take place in a child’s school/other places a child spends large amounts of time. Allergens quoted may vary from country to country and non-allergenic airborne particles may also trigger asthma (especially for smaller children 0-5 years).
The Guardian
Article about Dispatches documentary
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2006/apr/06/healthandwellbeing.health
The Lancet:
This article in the Lancet about Allergy Testing in the diagnosis of Asthma – “a persistent flaw”
https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lanres/PIIS2213-2600(15)00089-2.pdf
Schools Research & Articles:
How School Buildings Influence Student Health, Thinking and Performance
The 9 Foundations of a Healthy Building
http://9foundations.forhealth.org/
Findings led to recommendations for the UK to reduce exposure to allergenic birch pollen, prioritise low pollen planting where children are at greatest risk of exposure, eg. highways, school playgrounds, public parks environments; stop planting birch; increase diversity of tree species to avoid excessive quantities of a specific pollen type at any one time