ArticleJournal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology2026
The impact of portable air cleaners on indoor particulate matter concentrations and perceptions of indoor air quality: a randomized crossover trial in three multifamily buildings.
Article in Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundPortable air cleaners (PACs) can be used to reduce indoor concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM
objectiveEvaluate the impact of environmental conditions and device operation on PAC performance and user perceptions of PACs and indoor air quality.
methodsWe evaluated PACs in 60 apartments in three multifamily buildings in Toronto, Canada, using a three-arm randomized crossover design. Participants experienced three experimental conditions, each for a period of one week: placebo (no air cleaning), constant (PAC always operating), and auto (PAC operating when concentrations exceeded 10 μg·m
resultsDuring the placebo arm, weekly median concentrations ranged from 1 to 501 μg·m SIGNIFICANCE: These results demonstrate that PAC performance can vary between homes because of environmental and behavioural factors that must be accounted for when interpreting the results of an intervention. IMPACT: This study evaluates PAC performance across homes within multifamily buildings, allowing for a demonstration of how random variation between and within homes can affect measurements of PAC performance. The discrepancy between measured and theoretical performance has implications for PAC sizing guidelines. PAC automation can reduce device runtimes, addressing user concerns about noise, but a universal control strategy may not be suitable. With constant operation, PACs reduced weekly median concentrations in all. PACs may be particularly beneficial in multifamily buildings, where, compared with detached homes, PM
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