Asthma Facts You Should Know
- Asthma accounts for one-quarter of all emergency room visits in the U.S. each year (approx. 2 million). (Source: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)
- Approximately 5,000 asthma-related deaths occur each year in the U.S. alone. (Source: National Institutes of Health: National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute, National Asthma Education and Prevention Program)
- Asthma is the most common chronic condition among children. (Source: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)
- In 2005, an estimated 7.7% of people (22.2 million) had asthma, 8.9% of which were children (6.5 million). (Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control)
- The prevalence of asthma increased 75% from 1980-1994. (Source: Centers for Disease Control.)
- Health care costs and productivity decreases from allergies and asthma are about $13 billion per year. (Source: American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology)
- Most children who have asthma develop symptoms by age 5. (Source: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)
- Asthma in children is the cause of almost 5 million physician visits and more than 200,000 hospitalizations per year. (Source: Akinbami LJ. “State of Childhood Asthma, United States, 1980-2005.” Advance Data from Health and Vital Statistics, 381: 1-24, December 2006.)
- Exposure to formaldehyde and other volatile organic substances are identified as new risk factors for asthma. (Source: American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology)
- Domestic exposure to VOCs at levels below currently accepted recommendations may increase the risk of childhood asthma. (Sources: Rumchev, K., Thorax, September 2004; vol 59: pp 746-751. Marks, G., Thorax, September 2004; vol 59: pp 741-745. News release, Thorax.)
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What are Indoor Environmental Asthma Triggers?
According to the EPA, indoor air is at least two to five times, and can be up to 100 times, more polluted than outdoor air. With Americans spending up to 90% of their time indoors, their exposure to contaminated air can trigger increased asthma attacks. However, if we know what those environmental triggers are and how to control them, we can greatly reduce the life-altering effects of asthma.
Listed below are some of the most common indoor environmental triggers for asthma:
Secondhand smoke, also known as Environmental Tobacco Smoke, is a mixture of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar and the smoke exhaled by the smoker. Secondhand smoke contains over 4000 substances, many of which are known carcinogens.
Dust mites are too small to be seen by the naked eye, but can be found in all homes in mattresses, bed linens, carpets, draperies, upholstered furniture, and stuffed toys.
Mold can grow indoors on any wet or damp surface. In the home, mold is most commonly found in the bathroom, kitchen, basement, underneath carpeting, and inside drywall. Read about the effects of mold on people with asthma: “Mold Linked to Asthma,” ScienceDaily, Sept. 11, 2007.
Cockroach body parts, secretions and droppings, and the urine, droppings and saliva of pests, such as rodents, are often found in areas where food and water are present.
Pets' dander, urine and saliva can be found in homes where pets are allowed inside.
Nitrogen Dioxide is an odorless gas that can be a by-product of indoor fuel-burning appliances, such as gas stoves, gas or oil furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves and unvented kerosene or gas space heaters.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that are emitted as gases from solids or liquids and easily evaporated into the air at room temperature. Thousands of products, many that we use every day, or are exposed to every day, emit VOCs into the air while they are being used, and, to some degree, even when they are stored. These products include building materials, cooking odors, fresh paint, cleaning agents, adhesives, gasoline, and formaldehyde, to name only a few. Persons with asthma may be more susceptible to illness from VOC exposure.
Why Should I Be Concerned About the Air Quality in My Home?
The EPA and the American Lung Association have declared the indoor home environment a "high priority public health risk." Since we spend the greatest amount of our time at home cooking, eating, sleeping, bathing, relaxing and playing with our children and pets, our exposure to air pollution and irritants is greatest in our homes. During the most routine of activities, our noses and mouth are dangerously close to, or even in direct contact with, the irritants that trigger asthma attacks, as well as other respiratory ailments. Personal care products like soaps, hair spray and cosmetics, as well as cleaning solutions and smoke from fireplaces can trigger asthma symptoms just as much as animal dander or pollen. Our home environment is not regulated by the EPA; therefore, it is our personal responsibility to control the quality of the air we and our loved ones breathe by limiting our exposure to potential air contaminants.
A safe, fast, effective, and inexpensive way to find out whether you have an increased health risk due to a poor home air environment is to use HomeAirCheck™, the only home test that measures for total VOCs and mold (even invisible mold). Learn More >
Signs of Possible Home Indoor Air Quality Problems
- Unusual and noticeable odors, stale or stuffy air
- Noticeable lack of air movement
- Dirty or faulty central heating or air conditioning equipment
- Damaged flue pipes or chimneys
- Unvented combustion air sources for fossil fuel appliances
- Excessive humidity
- Tightly constructed or remodeled home
- Presence of molds and mildew
- Health reaction after remodeling, weatherizing, using new furniture, use of household or hobby products, or moving into a new home
- Feeling noticeably healthier outside the home
Source: Healthy Indoor Air, a partnership program of the Montana State University Extension Service, www.healthyindoorair.org
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Resources
www.lungusa.org – The American Lung Association
www.acaai.org – American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
www.aaaai.org – American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
www.nhlbi.nih.gov – National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
www.asthma-carenet.org – Childhood Asthma Research and Education Network
www.aafa.org – Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
www.aanma.org – Allergy and Asthma Network, Mothers of Asthmatics
www.ginasthma.com – Global Initiative for Asthma
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/naepp/ – National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP)
www.pediatricasthma.org – Pediatric Asthma
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/asthma – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, IAQ, Asthma
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