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Environmental exposures play an important role in the development and
management of asthma. The main factors responsible for triggering asthma attacks
(exacerbations) and persistent symptoms are exposure to allergens, irritants and
viral respiratory infections Some allergens (substances that can cause an
allergic reaction) are common biological agents such as animal dander, dust
mites, cockroaches, and molds. Other common respiratory irritants include diesel
exhaust, fumes from household and industrial cleaning products, solvents, new
building and finishing materials, secondhand smoke and air pollution, including
ozone and fine particles. |
A Story of Children and Indoor Air...
In 2003, the Snohomish Health District’s Partners in Child Care
received a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to
reduce health affects (including asthma) caused by poor air quality
in child care.
Click here to
view the
story.
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Environmental pollutants contribution to the incidence, prevalence, mortality,
and costs of pediatric asthma in American children is estimated at $2. Annual
expenditures for health and lost productivity due to asthma were $14 billion in
2002. The estimated cost of treating asthma in those under 18 is $3.2 billion
per year.
Indirect costs as a result of asthma, such as school days lost, decreased
performance in school, loss of work, housekeeping, and mortality, have annual
costs of about $6 billion in the US and $166 million in Washington. Nationally
the estimated 10 million school days children miss each year alone result in $1
billion in lost productivity as parents miss work to care for their children.
This does not include the cost of lost productivity from adults with asthma who
miss work. See The Burden of Asthma in Washington State for more information on
economic costs.
The disabilities and risk of death associated with asthma are largely
preventable with proper medical attention and reductions in environmental
triggers. Parents, community leaders and organizations from the public, private
and non-profit sectors can play important roles in reducing asthma triggers
(allergens or irritants) where people live, learn, work and play. Supportive
environments for people with asthma are environments enhanced for all people.
More information is available in our state plan. Click on the link
below to view the Asthma and the Environment chapter.
Click here for Asthma and the
Environment -
State Plan (686 KB - MS Word)
Other Resources:
Common
Triggers for Asthma (28KB - MS Word)
Environmental Management
of Pediatric Asthma: Guidelines for Health Care Providers
Department of
Ecology Air Quality Program
Air
Quality Index - Department of Ecology
Regional
Clean Air Authorities in Washington
DOH Environmental Health
Program – Indoor Air Quality website includes information on mold
Washington State Board of
Health Environmental Justice Report
Master Home Environmentalist
Environmental Protection Agency Asthma
Information
Environmental Protection Agency
Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program
Environmental Protection Agency
Healthy Schools Environments Project
Wildfire Smoke Guide For
Public Health Professionals (105KB - PDF)
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External
Links:
Washington Asthma Initiative
Centers for Disease Control - Asthma
Environmental Protection Agency
National Institute of
Occupational Safety and Health
Internal Links:
Washington State Asthma Plan
Washington State Burden
of Asthma Report
Asthma Fact Sheet
Related Links:
Tobacco Prevention and Control
Other CFH Programs
Environmental Health
Programs |
