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 ~ ~ YOUR CHILDREN WILL BREATHE EASIER ------- 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 ------- |