Project: IONA

IONA - Assessing the impact of non-tailpipe emissions from traffic on the asthmatic airway

Air pollution is the largest environmental contributor to early death. Government policy frequently targets reductions in exhaust air pollution, however they seldom target non-exhaust sources of air pollution. With increases in weight of vehicles, non-exhaust emissions now make up a greater portion of air pollution by mass than exhaust emissions. To date, no research has explored the health impacts of non-exhaust air pollution on human health in real world settings.

IONA is a research study that looks at how different non-exhaust air pollution environments impact the health of people living with asthma.

The study

IONA is the world’s first study to explore the impacts of non-exhaust pollution on human health. The main aim of the study is to investigate the impact of non-exhaust emissions on the acute lung function and airways of asthmatic adults.

48 participants with mild and moderate asthma will be asked to exercise in three contrasting air quality environments:

High-speed continuous traffic location, to enhance tire wear emissions
An urban background location away from nearby traffic sources
A busy road junction characterized by stop-go traffic to enhance emissions from brake wear

Health and air pollution markers will be measured. Air quality parameters that will be recorded are PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂, NO, NO_X, O₃, Organic Mass, NO₃, SO₄, NH₄, elements and black carbon.

The primary outcome of the study is lung function as measured by Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1). With secondary health endpoints including: Spirometry (FVC, FVC/FEV1 ratio, z Scores), fractional expired nitric oxide (FeNO), oscillometry, asthma symptoms and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ).

Find out more about the IONA study on the main study website from Queen Mary University of London

IONA Study