Astnma is a SeriOUS Kind disease.
During an asthma attack, the airways
get narrow, making it dirricult to breathe.
Symptoms or asthma include wheezing,
shortness or breath, ana coughing.
Asthma can even cause death.
Ir you he
3th]
ill
ness in c
The air that
children breathe
can make a dirrerence.
Asthma may be triggered by allergens and irritants
that are common in homes. Help your child breathe easier:
consult a doctor and reduce asthma triggers in your home.
you nave astnma
or a child with asthma,
you are not alone.
About 17 million Americans have asthma.
Asthma is the leading cause or long-term
hild
ren.
Act now
against
astnma
at home.
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
Mail Code 6604J
Washington, DC 20460
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
United States
Environmental
Protection Agency
EPA/402-F-99-005
July 1999
Office of Air and Radiation
ear lour
-
Cl
Home Of
Astnma Erigfcfers
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YOUR CHILDREN WILL BREATHE EASIER
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CLEAR YOUR HOME OF ASTHMA TRIGGERS
SECONDHAND SMOKE
Asthma can be triggered by trie smoke rrom the burning end or a
cigarette, pipe, or cigar and the smoke breathed out by a smoker.
Q Choose not to smoke in your home or car and do not allow others
to do so either.
DUST MITES
Dust mites are too small to be seen but are lound in every nome.
Dust mites live in mattresses, pillows, carpets, labric-covered lurniture,
bedcovers, clothes, and stulled toys.
Wish sheets and blankets
once a week
k in hot water.
Q Choose washable stulled toys, wash them olten in hot water, and dry
thoroughly. Keep stulled toys oil beds.
J Cover mattresses and pillows in dust-prool (allergen-impermeable)
zippered covers.
PETS
Your pet's skin Hakes, urine, and saliva can be asthma triggers.
Consider keeping pets outdoors or even linding a new home lor your
pets, il necessary.
Keep pets out ol the bedroom and other sleeping areas at all times, and
keep the door closed.
Keep pets away Irom labric-covered lurniture, carpets, and stulled toys.
MOLDS
Molds grow on damp materials. The key to mold control is moisture
control. Il mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and get rid
ol excess water or moisture. Lowering the moisture also helps reduce
other triggers, such as dust mites and cockroaches.
Q Wash mold oil hard surlaces and dry completely. Absorbent materials,
such as ceiling tiles and carpet, with mold may need to be replaced.
Q Fix leaky plumbing or other sources ol water.
Q Keep drip pans in your air conditioner, relrigerator, and dehumidilier
clean and dry.
Q Use exhaust lans or open windows in kitchens and bathrooms when
showering, cooking, or using the dishwasher.
Q Vent clothes dryers to the outside.
Q Maintain low indoor humidity, ideally between 30-50% relative
humidity. Humidity levels can be measured by hygrometers which are
available at local hardware stores.
PESTS
Droppings or body parts ol pests such as cockroaches or rodents can be
asthma triggers.
Q Do not leave lood or garbage out.
Q Store lood in airtight containers.
Q Clean all lood crumbs or spilled liquids right away.
Q Try using poison baits, boric acid (lor cockroaches), or traps lirst belore
using pesticidal sprays.
Il sprays are used:
Q Limit the spray to inlested area.
Q Carelully lollow instructions on the label.
Q Make sure there is plenty ol Iresh air when you spray, and keep the
person with asthma out ol the room.
Not all ol the asthma
triggers addressed in this
brochure allect every person
with asthma. Not all asthma
triggers are listed here. See
your doctor or health care
provider lor more
inlormation.
ALSO...
HOUSE DUST may contain
asthma triggers. Remove
dust olten with a damp
cloth, and vacuum carpet
and labric-covered lurniture
to reduce dust build-up.
Allergic people should leave
the area being vacuumed.
Using vacuums with high
elliciency niters or central
vacuums may be helprul.
When your local weather
lorecast announces an
OZONE ACTION DAY,
stay indoors as much as
possible.
FOR MORE
INFORMATION:
U.S. E nvironmental
Protection Agency
http: //www. epa.gov/iaq
EPA Indoor Air Quality
Information Clearinghouse
(800)438-4318
National Asthma Education
ana Prevention Program
Guidelines for tne Diagnosis ana
Management oj-Asthma, 199^
(301) 592-8573
Allergy ana Asthma Network/
Mothers or Asthmatics, Inc.
(800) 878-4403
American Academy of Allergy,
Asthma and Immunology
(800) 822-2762
American Lung Association
(800) LUNG-USA
Asthma and Allergy Foundation
of America (800) 7ASTHMA
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