Improving Home Ventilation for Asthma Relief and Public Health Advancement
For millions of people living with asthma, even the air inside their homes can make breathing difficult. However, researchers at The University of Texas at Arlington have conducted a study showing that better ventilation systems can make a measurable difference in helping people breathe more easily.
The study, coauthored by Dr. Insung Kang, an assistant professor in UTA’s Department of Civil Engineering, found that improved residential ventilation systems can significantly enhance indoor air quality and reduce breathing difficulties for adults with asthma. The findings of this study were published in the journal Building and Environment.
Collaborating with the Illinois Institute of Technology and Elevate, a nonprofit based in Chicago, the three-year project conducted in Chicago from 2017 to 2020 examined how different types of home ventilation systems affect indoor pollutants and respiratory health in adults with asthma.
Dr. Kang shared, “Recognizing how significantly indoor environments influence people’s health inspired me to dedicate my research to improving public health. When we visited homes, we could see the difference these systems made, especially for families facing economic or environmental disparities.”
After a year of baseline monitoring, researchers installed one of three types of ventilation systems in participants’ homes: upgraded bathroom exhaust fans, a supply fan connected to the central heating and cooling system, or an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). The findings showed that all three systems led to measurable improvements in indoor air quality and asthma outcomes during the study’s second year when ventilation was activated. The ERV system produced the greatest improvements in asthma symptoms, especially for older adults over 45.
Principal investigator Brent Stephens of Illinois Tech expressed gratitude for the contributions and support received throughout the project, highlighting the importance of the participants’ involvement in the study.
Elevate CEO Anne Evens emphasized that this research confirms that improved ventilation is not just a building upgrade but a public health solution. The study demonstrates how evidence-based housing interventions can reduce health disparities and help families breathe easier.
Dr. Kang completed the project as part of his doctoral research, which has shaped his career focus on environmental health and equitable technology design. Leading the Built Environment and Health (BEH) research group at UTA, he continues to explore ways to make buildings healthier and more energy-efficient across Texas and beyond. Currently, he is conducting a similar study in urban homes across Dallas-Fort Worth.
The study titled “Effects of residential ventilation and filtration interventions on adult asthma outcomes” published in Building and Environment in 2025 provides valuable insights into the benefits of improved home ventilation for asthma relief and public health advancement.
For more information on the study, you can access the research article at DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.113577.
This research article sheds light on the importance of indoor air quality and the role of ventilation systems in improving respiratory health for individuals with asthma. By prioritizing better ventilation in homes, we can enhance public health outcomes and create healthier living environments for everyone.
