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
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                                             Cl
                                            Home Of
                                                          Astnma  Erigfcfers
                                                                            ~ ~
 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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