CLEAN AIR 2: cleaner home air for people with COPD
2/2 Multi-Center CLEAN AIR 2 Randomized Control Trial in COPD
This project looks at whether placing portable air cleaners in the homes of people with COPD helps them breathe better and have fewer flare-ups.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11160486 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will place high-efficiency particulate and carbon-filter portable air cleaners in participants' homes and regularly measure indoor pollution levels and health. Participants will be randomly assigned across multiple centers to receive the cleaners or usual care, with staff tracking symptoms, quality of life, and COPD exacerbations over time. The study combines air monitoring (PM and NO2) with patient questionnaires and clinical follow-up to see if reducing indoor pollutants improves respiratory health. Results will compare outcomes between those with the air cleaners and those without to see if the intervention lowers symptom burden and exacerbation risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older with COPD, especially former smokers who spend much of their time at home and experience symptoms or exacerbations, are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who currently smoke, who already have effective home air filtration, or who do not spend significant time indoors may be less likely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lower indoor air pollution and lead to better breathing, improved quality of life, and fewer COPD exacerbations for patients.
How similar studies have performed: A prior randomized trial of 116 former smokers with COPD showed lower in-home PM and NO2 and a reduced risk of moderate exacerbations, with mixed effects on quality of life, indicating promising but not definitive results.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ehrhardt, Stephan — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Ehrhardt, Stephan
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.