West London Healthy Home and Environment (WellHome) Study: Protocol for a Community-Based Study Investigating Exposures Across the Indoor-Outdoor Air Pollution Continuum in Urban Communities

Diana Varaden (), Benjamin Barratt, Margaret J. Dallman, Adam Skillern, Munira S. Elmi, David C. Green, Anja H. Tremper, Michael Hedges, William Hicks, Max Priestman, Leon P. Barron, Shane P. Fitzgerald, Holly M. Walder, Stephanie L. Wright, Ian S. Mudway, Matthew C. Fisher, Samuel J. Hemmings, Wouter Poortinga, Francesca Tirotto, Sean Beevers, Heather Walton, Tuan Vu, Klea Katsouyanni, Dimitris Evangelopoulos, George Young, Dylan Wood, Christopher Griffiths and Frank J. Kelly
Additional contact information
Diana Varaden: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Benjamin Barratt: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Margaret J. Dallman: Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
Adam Skillern: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Munira S. Elmi: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
David C. Green: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Anja H. Tremper: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Michael Hedges: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
William Hicks: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Max Priestman: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Leon P. Barron: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Shane P. Fitzgerald: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Holly M. Walder: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Stephanie L. Wright: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Ian S. Mudway: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Matthew C. Fisher: MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Samuel J. Hemmings: MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Wouter Poortinga: Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
Francesca Tirotto: Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
Sean Beevers: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Heather Walton: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Tuan Vu: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Klea Katsouyanni: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Dimitris Evangelopoulos: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
George Young: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Dylan Wood: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Christopher Griffiths: Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Barts Institute of Population Health Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
Frank J. Kelly: Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: The relationship between indoor air quality and public health remains under-researched. WellHome is a transdisciplinary community-based study that will engage with residents to co-design feasible and acceptable research to quantify air pollution exposure in 100 homes in West London and examine its potential to exacerbate asthma symptoms in children. Sampling strategies such as using air quality monitors and passive samplers placed in kitchens, children’s bedrooms, and living rooms, will be developed in collaboration with local ambassadors and participating households to measure multiple physical, chemical, microplastic, and biological contaminants. This will provide a comprehensive understanding of indoor air quality across the city’s socio-economic gradient. Other data collected will include housing types and tenure, ventilation practices, occupant behaviours, time-activity, and airway symptoms. Epidemiological analysis will examine air pollution exposure impacts on children’s respiratory health. The particulate mixture’s relative hazard will be evaluated in toxicity studies based on source profiles and activity patterns of participants, focusing on asthma exacerbation related pathways. The study’s findings will be communicated to participants through co-designed reports and inform evidence-based recommendations for reducing indoor air pollution in London and urban areas worldwide. By raising awareness and providing actionable insights, WellHome seeks to contribute to global efforts to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable communities.

Keywords: indoor air pollution; exposure modelling; asthma; respiratory symptoms; behaviour change; immunotoxicity; participatory research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
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