We are looking for volunteers (adults and children over 12 years) who have asthma and who live in the Penrith area in a home which uses a wood heater or an electric heater in winter.

Wood heater smoke & health study

The University of Canberra and the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, at Macquarie University are conducting a research project on wood heater smoke and asthma. We are looking for households with at least one person with asthma (adults and children over 12 years) to participate in a study in the Penrith area. We are aiming to recruit 10 homes with wood heaters and 10 homes with electric heating, and would like to install an air cleaner at your property and conduct indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring. We will also ask you to do some simple breathing tests, carry a personal air quality monitor, and to keep a short symptom diary every day for 2 months. The study will test whether use of air cleaners improves indoor air quality and has an impact on your or your child's health. We will reimburse your household for your involvement in the monitoring. You will have access to the results of the breathing tests.

For more information, please contact Dr Nigel Goodman at heal@canberra.edu.au, or scan the QR code above.