EPA Helps Build Awareness Around Asthma / Asthma affects nearly 25 million people in the U.S. (HQ)
WASHINGTON – To kick off Asthma Awareness Month, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is commemorating World Asthma
Day by bringing awareness to a growing nationwide problem. Asthma
has consistently increased over the past decade with more than 4
million additional cases reported, including nearly 1 million
additional cases reported in children. One out of every 10 school
aged children is affected and approximately 13 million people have
reported having an asthma attack in the past year. EPA is taking
action to ensure cleaner air and a healthier environment for
children and families dealing with asthma.
"All Americans should be able to breathe easy whether they’re
at home, at work or on the playground," EPA Administrator Lisa P.
Jackson said. "Yet too many of our children and family members
suffer from asthma, resulting in doctor and hospital visits, lost
learning time, more sick days and higher health care costs. It's
our mission at EPA to protect the health of our communities by
putting Clean Air Act safeguards in place to reduce levels of
harmful pollutants in the air we all breathe. "
EPA provides guidance and resources to reduce indoor air triggers
such as dust mites, mold, cockroaches, pet dander, and secondhand
smoke in homes and schools. In addition to voluntary actions, EPA
has taken a number of regulatory actions to protect people's health
by updating air quality standards and reducing air pollution from
power plants, industry and vehicles. For example, EPA recently
proposed the first national standard for mercury pollution from
power plants, which is estimated to prevent 120,000 cases of
childhood asthma symptoms, helping people breathe easier by
improving outdoor air quality and reducing fine particle
pollution.
As part of Asthma Awareness Month, EPA recommends these top five
steps people can take to help prevent asthma attacks:
· Take it
outside. One of the most common asthma triggers in the home is
second hand smoke. Until they can quit, people should smoke
outside, not in their home or car.
· Play it
safe. Ozone and particle pollution can cause asthma attacks. People
should check the Air Quality Index (AQI) to view reports of
unhealthy levels.
· Keep it
clean. Dust mites are also triggers for asthma. For dust mite
control, cover mattresses and pillows with allergen proof covers
and wash sheets and blankets once a week in hot water.
· Stake your
claim. Household pets can also trigger asthma. People should keep
pets out of the bedroom and off furniture.
· Break the
mold. Mold is another asthma trigger. The key to controlling mold
is controlling moisture. People should wash and dry hard surfaces
to prevent and remove mold, and should replace moldy ceiling tiles
and carpet.
Asthma is a nationwide problem. On June 9-10 EPA will host the
National Asthma Forum in Washington, D.C. Hundreds of providers,
health departments, community asthma coalitions, researchers,
policy makers, and others will gather to discuss the most effective
community based strategies for improving asthma outcomes, building
successful and sustainable asthma care programs, and extending the
reach and impact of high quality asthma care to everyone in
need.
More information on asthma: http://www.epa.gov/asthma/index.html
More information on the forum: http://www.epa.gov/asthma/forum.html
More information about community-based asthma programs: http://www.AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org