IONA-Assessing the impact of non-tailpipe emissions from traffic on the asthmatic airway

Electric and hybrid vehicles produce less air pollution from exhausts, but due to their increased weight, they increase air pollution from brake, tyre and road wear. To date no research has explored the health impacts of non-exhaust air pollution on human health in a real-world setting.

38 adults with asthma will be randomly allocated to visit field-testing sites in central London, located in contrasting air quality environments. Sites targeted will be near:

• A busy road junction characterized by stop-go traffic to enhance emissions from brake wear
• High speed continuous traffic, to enhance tire wear emissions
• Urban background site.

Participants will ride on static exercise bikes for two hours and will perform identical respiratory health assessments (spirometry and FeNO) before and after the exercise task.

Study outcomes include lung function (primary) and a range of immunological responses.

The IONA study is breaking new ground as the first to investigate the health impacts of non-exhaust air pollution such as emissions from brakes, tyres, and road surfaces in real-world settings. Although findings are forthcoming, the study is already informing future research by helping to establish key air pollution and respiratory health variables. It is also supporting collaborative funding bids focused on UK decarbonisation. In the longer term, IONA is expected to shape evidence-based public health policy and drive innovation in the automotive sector by highlighting the urgent need to address non-tailpipe emissions, which are an increasingly significant contributor to air pollution.

Queen Mary University of London

Imperial College London

Asthma and Lung UK Center for Applied Research