Background: Exposure to particulate matter ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5) is linked to more frequent and severe asthma exacerbations, especially in children. Around 10% of children in Asia have asthma, and short-term spikes in PM2.5 can raise exacerbation risk within three days. While public air quality monitoring networks exist, localized PM2.5 levels may vary significantly from central monitoring data, limiting the ability of individuals to make timely personalized health decisions. This highlights the urgent need for real-time, localized air quality monitoring to support personalized asthma management in an environment affected by air pollution.
Methods: A health innovation project was undertaken to design, develop, and evaluate a portable, user-centered air quality monitoring device aimed at supporting asthma management among children living in pollution-affected environments. The design process started with problem identification, algorithm creation, and feature selection. Next, the development process included low-fidelity prototype creation and preliminary early-adopter user interaction components to support symptom tracking and potential early medication adjustments.
Results: The design process identified several key stakeholders, including children as primary users, along with parents and healthcare providers who play important roles in the deployment of the device. The design of the dashboard required a short and succinct pop-up message with colorful buttons that increase users’ interaction. The first version of the prototype demonstrated technical feasibility in collecting and transmitting PM2.5 data. The prototype will enable personalized monitoring, which may help increase symptom awareness and support timely behavioral changes. This could inform earlier adjustments to asthma management plans and improve disease control under fluctuating air quality conditions.
Conclusions: Personalized monitoring tools may offer a complementary approach to existing public air quality systems by providing more individualized exposure insights. Such innovations may help vulnerable populations, in this case children, to better manage pollution-related health risks, advance planetary health equity, and support adaptation strategies to mitigate the health impacts of climate change.
