# The Changing COVID-19 Landscape: A Feasibility Study to Capture Momentary Residential Environmental Exposures and Asthma Sypmtoms in Adults

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER · 2022 · $219,669

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The global pandemic of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a substantial cause for concern among individuals
with chronic respiratory diseases, including those with asthma. It is estimated that more than 60% of adults
with asthma have uncontrolled symptoms and this represents a substantial health and economic impact.
Compared to children, adults are nearly five times more likely to die from asthma and the asthma-related
death rate is highest among those 65 years and older. Viral infections are a prominent risk factor for
asthma exacerbation and, thus, SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, is cause for alarm among
those diagnosed with asthma. Sheltering-in-place orders and recommendations, physical distancing, wearing
face coverings, hand hygiene, and increased cleaning and disinfecting are primary COVID-19 preventative
measures advocated. The effects of home-based strategies to prevent COVID-19, specifically increased
residential exposure to cleaning/disinfecting agents and particulates on adults with asthma is unknown. Our
long term goal is to characterize the impact of COVID-19 on existing asthma risk factors so as to develop
tailored, home-based asthma interventions that adequately acknowledge COVID-19 and are responsive to the
changing home environment and home routines resulting from this pandemic. The aims of this study are: 1)
determine the feasibility and usability of: (a) ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to assess self-report
residential environmental exposures and asthma symptoms, (b) home monitoring of objective environmental
exposures (total volatile organic compounds [VOCs], particulates [PM2.5]), and lung function (home spirometry);
2a) assess the frequency and degree of residential environmental exposures (e.g., disinfectants/cleaners,
second-hand smoke) via (a) self-reported data, and (b) home monitoring objective measures, 2b) assess the
level of asthma control as indicated by self-reported asthma symptoms and lung function; and 3) explore
associations of self-reported and objective measures of residential environmental exposures with self-reported
and objective measures of asthma control. We will recruit 50 adults with asthma who completed our ongoing
online COVID-19 and asthma survey, indicated willingness to be contacted for future studies, reported high
use of disinfectant/cleaning products, and have not-well controlled asthma. Participants will receive an indoor
air quality monitor and a home spirometer to measure VOCs, PM2.5, and FEV1% respectively. EMA will be
collected using a personal smartphone and EMA software platform. Participants’ will be sent scheduled and
random EMA notifications to assess asthma symptoms, environmental exposures, lung function, and mitigation
strategies. After the 14-day data collection period, participants will respond to survey items related
acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility. Findings from this feasibility study will support a powered study
to address the impact...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10369705
- **Project number:** 5R21ES033118-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Kamal M Eldeirawi
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $219,669
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-03-15 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10369705

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10369705, The Changing COVID-19 Landscape: A Feasibility Study to Capture Momentary Residential Environmental Exposures and Asthma Sypmtoms in Adults (5R21ES033118-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10369705. Licensed CC0.

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