The Asthma Epidemic
Asthma has reached epidemic proportions in the United States affecting
about 15 million people of all ages and races, particularly children.
Nearly one in 13 school-aged children has asthma, and the percentage
of children with asthma is rising more rapidly in preschool-aged
children than in any other age group. Asthma is the leading cause of
school absenteeism due to a chronic illness, accounting for over 10
million missed school days per year. Asthma also accounts for many
nights of interrupted sleep, limitation of activity, and disruption of
family and care-giver routines. Asthma symptoms which are not severe
enough to require a visit to an emergency room or to a physician can
still be serious enough to prevent a child with asthma from living a
fully active life. Asthma is a long-term, inflammatory disease in
which the airways of the lung tighten and constrict causing wheezing,
breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. These symptoms can be
at least partially reversed, either spontaneously or with treatment.
The inflammation also causes the airways of the lung to become
especially sensitive to a variety of asthma triggers. In addition, the
particular trigger or triggers and the severity of symptoms can differ
for each person with asthma. Since Americans spend up to 90% of their
time indoors, exposure to indoor allergens and irritants may play a
significant role in triggering asthma episodes. Some of the most
common asthma triggers found indoors include:
-
animal dander
-
cockroaches
-
mold
-
secondhand
smoke
-
dust mites
Other asthma triggers include: respiratory infections, pollens (trees,
grasses, weeds), outdoor air pollution, food allergies, exercise and
cold air exposure.
Asthma in Schools
Each day, one in five Americans occupies a school building and the
majority of these occupants are children. Environmental asthma triggers
commonly found in school buildings are cockroaches and other pests, mold
resulting from excess moisture in the building, and dander from animals in
the classroom. Secondhand smoke and dust mites are other known
environmental asthma triggers found in schools. In addition, some
literature suggests children with asthma may be affected by other
pollutants found in schools from such sources as un-vented stoves or
heaters and common products such as cleaning agents, perfumes, and sprays.
Effectively managing a child’s asthma can best be accomplished through a
comprehensive plan that addresses both the medical management of the
disease and avoidance of environmental triggers. Since children spend most
of their time in schools, day care facilities, or at home, it is important
to reduce their exposure to environmental asthma triggers as much as
possible in each of these environments. This publication focuses on steps
that schools can take to help children breathe easier.
Office of Air and Radiation,
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air,
Indoor Environments Division (6609J)
EPA # 402-K-00-003, May 2000
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