CANDLE - A Study of Acute Health Effects of Exposure to Particles Generated by Candles
Condition: Inflammatory Response; Symptoms and Signs
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      INTRODUCTION: Particle contamination is suggested to have substantial negative effects on
      health, with candles emitting huge amount of particles, thus being one of the largest
      contributors to indoor air pollution. Chronic low levels of exposure to indoor particles over
      time is an important risk factor for the health of the population as a whole and it becomes
      particularly important for vulnerable groups like people suffering from respiratory diseases
      such as asthma.

      AIM: In a randomized controlled cross-over trial the difference in health effects between two
      candles I) a standard candle and II) a low emission candle modified from the standard candle
      is studied.
    

Detailed description: 
      INTRODUCTION; Particle contamination is suggested to have substantial negative effects on
      health, with candles emitting the huge amount of particles, thus being one of the largest
      contributors to indoor air pollution. Chronic low levels of exposure to indoor particles over
      time is an important risk factor for the health of the population as a whole and it becomes
      particularly important for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly or people already
      suffering from allergies and respiratory diseases such as asthma.

      AIM: To study the difference in health effects between two candles I) a standard candle and
      II) a low emission candle modified from the standard candle. The following hypothesis will be
      examined: Short-term exposure to particles generated by the standard candle is associated
      with more objectively measurable effects in metabolomics inflammation compared to exposure to
      modified low-emission candle particles.

      METHODS: Separated by two weeks 20 young asthmatics will be exposed in a randomized
      cross-over double-blind study under controlled conditions in a climate chamber to three
      different exposures; A) a standard (Scandinavian) stearin candle, B) a modified low emitting
      version of the same candle, and C) clean air from the adjacent chamber. The experiment will
      be carried out in groups of 3-6 participants.

      MEASUREMENTS: TSI P-TRAK Ultrafine Particle Counter and SMPS will be used for particle
      counts. Health effects, including spirometry and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) will
      be evaluated in relation to local and systemic effects prior to, right after and 24 h. after
      exposure.

      ANALYSIS: Mixed methods approach taking both time and exposure into account.
    

Intervention name(s): Candle C; Candle 1
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Burning candles will produce particulate air pollution being passed on an exposure chamber where the participants will be sitting for 5 hours.; Burning candles will produce particulate air pollution being passed on an exposure chamber where the participants will be sitting for 5 hours.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Intervention model description: A randomized cross-over double-blind study under controlled conditions in a climate chamber having three different exposures; A) a standard (Scandinavian) stearin candle, B) a modified low emitting version of the same candle, and C) clean air
Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: Stearin candle; Health effects; Inflammation; Asthmatics; Particle contamination; Indoor air; Pollutant