Evaluating the Long-Term Health and Economic Impacts of Central Residential Air Filtration for Reducing Premature Mortality Associated with Indoor Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) of Outdoor Origin

Zhao, Dan; Azimi, Parham; Stephens, Brent

doi:10.3390/ijerph120708448

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Evaluating the Long-Term Health and Economic Impacts of Central Residential Air Filtration for Reducing Premature Mortality Associated with Indoor Fine Particulate Matter (PM_2.5) of Outdoor Origin

Dan Zhao

Parham Azimi

^† and

Brent Stephens

Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616, USA

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

^†

These authors contributed equally to this work.

Academic Editors: Gary Adamkiewicz and Patricia Fabian

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2015, 12(7), 8448-8479; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120708448

Received: 1 June 2015 / Revised: 1 June 2015 / Accepted: 9 July 2015 / Published: 21 July 2015

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Indoor Environmental Quality: Exposures and Occupant Health)

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Abstract

Much of human exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) of outdoor origin occurs in residences. High-efficiency particle air filtration in central heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems is increasingly being used to reduce concentrations of particulate matter inside homes. However, questions remain about the effectiveness of filtration for reducing exposures to PM_2.5 of outdoor origin and adverse health outcomes. Here we integrate epidemiology functions and mass balance modeling to estimate the long-term health and economic impacts of HVAC filtration for reducing premature mortality associated with indoor PM_2.5 of outdoor origin in residences. We evaluate 11 classifications of filters (MERV 5 through HEPA) using six case studies of single-family home vintages and ventilation system combinations located in 22 U.S. cities. We estimate that widespread use of higher efficiency filters would reduce premature mortality by 0.002–2.5% and increase life expectancy by 0.02–1.6 months, yielding annual monetary benefits ranging from $1 to $1348 per person in the homes and locations modeled herein. Large differences in the magnitude of health and economic impacts are driven largely by differences in rated filter efficiency and building and ventilation system characteristics that govern particle infiltration and persistence, with smaller influences attributable to geographic location. View Full-Text

Keywords: indoor air; HVAC filter; DALYs; premature mortality; exposure; infiltration

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Zhao, D.; Azimi, P.; Stephens, B. Evaluating the Long-Term Health and Economic Impacts of Central Residential Air Filtration for Reducing Premature Mortality Associated with Indoor Fine Particulate Matter (PM_2.5) of Outdoor Origin. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2015, 12, 8448-8479. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120708448

AMA Style

Zhao D, Azimi P, Stephens B. Evaluating the Long-Term Health and Economic Impacts of Central Residential Air Filtration for Reducing Premature Mortality Associated with Indoor Fine Particulate Matter (PM_2.5) of Outdoor Origin. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2015; 12(7):8448-8479. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120708448

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zhao, Dan, Parham Azimi, and Brent Stephens. 2015. "Evaluating the Long-Term Health and Economic Impacts of Central Residential Air Filtration for Reducing Premature Mortality Associated with Indoor Fine Particulate Matter (PM_2.5) of Outdoor Origin" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 12, no. 7: 8448-8479. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120708448

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Evaluating the Long-Term Health and Economic Impacts of Central Residential Air Filtration for Reducing Premature Mortality Associated with Indoor Fine Particulate Matter (PM_2.5) of Outdoor Origin

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