'Dramatic' effect of air quality monitors

Indoor air quality monitors have been provided for children with asthma or infant wheeze in an initiative in two towns.

Families in St Helens on Merseyside and Warrington in Cheshire have been given the kit to check for air pollution inside their homes.

The Healthy Air for Healthy Lungs programme focuses on households with children aged two to 10 who have respiratory conditions.

St Helens Council said it was having a "dramatic" impact on children's health.

The monitors can identify changes in a range of air quality factors, including temperature, humidity, virus risk, carbon dioxide and volatile organic compound levels from paint.

Most households are believed to have at least one type of indoor air quality issue, such as excessive dust or moisture, tobacco smoke or high humidity.

Emissions from plug-in room fragrances, candle burning and building materials can also have an effect.

Director of Public Health Ruth du Plessis said: "Early feedback and data have been really promising, showing us that families are adopting air quality improvements."

They were "being more mindful of how they cook, clean, heat and ventilate their homes", she said.

"It's clearly having a dramatic and positive impact on the health of young children, with reduced need for inhalers and fewer hospital visits recorded by parents and guardians."

A total of 150 monitors have been given out in St Helens, with a waiting list for new applications.

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