UW studies links to improved indoor air quality and improved health outcomes for kids
Families living near Sea-Tac Airport now have an opportunity to contribute to critical air quality research — and receive a valuable HEPA air filter for their home. The University of Washington is recruiting participants for the Airports, Air Pollution and Asthma (AAA Study), aimed at understanding how air pollution from aircraft affects children’s health.
Who Can Participate
The study is currently enrolling households with children between the ages of 6 and 10 who have asthma and live in communities surrounding Sea-Tac Airport. These include neighborhoods in South King County such as Burien, Des Moines, SeaTac, Normandy Park, and others near the flight paths of arriving and departing aircraft.
What You’ll Receive
Each participating family will receive a free HEPA air filter for their home, which they get to keep after the study ends. This high-efficiency filter helps reduce airborne pollutants and can improve indoor air quality — an especially important benefit for children with asthma.
What Participation Involves
Participation includes air quality monitoring in your home and periodic health check-ins for your child over a one-year period. The study is designed to be as convenient as possible for families, with support from the UW research team to guide each step. All information collected is kept confidential and used solely for research purposes.
Why This Study Matters
Sea-Tac Airport is one of the fastest-growing airports in the U.S., and nearby communities have raised concerns about the health impacts of aircraft-related air pollution. The AAA Study is a collaborative effort between the UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences and community members to investigate potential links between aircraft pollution and childhood asthma. The findings will help inform policies and protective measures for affected communities.
How to Join
If you have a child ages 6–10 with asthma and live near Sea-Tac Airport, you may be eligible. To sign up, or learn more, visit the official study page at https://deohs.washington.edu/aaa-study.