Abstract

Background: Air pollution affects the entire body leading to various non-communicable diseases, such as chronic respiratory conditions and cardiovascular disease with an increased vulnerability for the elderly. A systematic review by Liu et al (2022) investigated the use of personal-level indoor air cleaners and respirators on biomarkers of cardiorespiratory health. Methods: Using the AMSTAR 2 tool for assessing systematic reviews, this commentary critically appraises this review and expands upon the findings within the broader landscape of clinical practice in cardiorespiratory health. Results: The findings indicate a potential decrease in cardiovascular risk and inflammation in the body making it an important factor for community nurses to consider in the improvement of environmental health. Conclusion: The results of the systematic review should be viewed with caution due to the limitations of the systematic review, in addition to the very low certainty evidence available from primary research. Despite the lack of strong supporting evidence, the risk associated with air pollution remains a significant concern Nurses can play an important role in improving long-term respiratory and cardiovascular health by providing evidence-based education and advice to patients regarding personal-level interventions.