Title: Impact of daily Air Quality Index information and monitoring on air pollution awareness and respiratory health: A randomized pilot study
Abstract
Air pollution contributes significantly to respiratory health issues, yet public awareness of pollution levels remains limited. This
study evaluated the impact of daily air quality index (AQI) updates and personalized monitoring on awareness and respiratory health in Chennai.
Methods: A randomized trial with 100 participants divided into intervention and control groups was conducted over 8 weeks. The intervention
group received daily AQI updates via SMS, accompanied by instructions on protective behaviors and access to a portable AQI monitor for home
measurements; the control group did not. Pre and post-intervention outcomes included self-reported respiratory symptoms, awareness of air
pollution impacts, and AQI-related behavioral changes, assessed through validated questionnaires and interviews. Results: Participants in the
intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in AQI awareness (mean score increase: 3.2 ± 1.1, p < 0.01) and adoption of protective
behaviors. Additionally, intervention participants reported a 15% reduction in respiratory symptoms compared to the control group. Daily AQI
monitoring empowered individuals to adapt their routines effectively, particularly during episodes of high pollution. Conclusion: Providing daily
AQI updates and access to personalized air quality monitoring tools improves awareness and health outcomes among urban residents. This pilot
study underscores the potential of such interventions as scalable strategies to mitigate air pollution’s health impacts, particularly in rapidly
urbanizing settings like Chennai. Further large-scale trials are recommended to validate these findings. Keywords: Air Quality Index, Respiratory
Health, Behavioral Interventions.
About the Speaker
Professor in the Institute of Community Medicine at Madras Medical College, with an MD in Community Medicine from the same institution (2008). The academic journey has encompassed extensive roles, including Assistant Surgeon, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor since 2019. Serving as the Nodal Officer for the DHR-funded Multidisciplinary Research Unit at MMC since 2017, the professor has also contributed as a Co-Investigator in several health and extramural studies funded by ICMR and DHR. Key research projects include the DHR-funded Costing of Health Services in India (CHSI) Study, the National Hospital-Based Registry on Venous Thromboembolic Disorders (i-RegVeD), and the ICMR-funded CAR–RAHAT programme. With over 20 original research articles published in esteemed journals, the professor has made significant contributions to the field of community medicine and public health research.
