Take action this summer to reduce exposure to asthma triggers (PA)
PHILADELPHIA (June 21, 2011)
- - Summer heat is
here, and that means it is more important than ever for people with
asthma or other respiratory ailments to pay close attention to the
air quality where they live. Like the weather, air quality can
change from day to day or even hour to hour.
During the summer when ozone levels rise, the
number of people with asthma related symptoms admitted to hospitals
and emergency rooms increases. Asthma rates – especially
among children – have increased dramatically. Asthma affects
25 million people in the United States, including seven million
children. That’s 8 percent of the population. One out of
every 10 school aged children is affected.
“While we have made great strides in
improving air quality, we still need to do more,” said EPA
mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “By
further improving air quality, we can help to control asthma and
provide a more active lifestyle for children, a vulnerable
population.”
In addition to talking with your health care
provider, these steps can help prevent an asthma
episode:
· Play it safe. Ground-level ozone and particle pollution can exacerbate an asthma episode. Look for the Air Quality Index (AQI) during the local weather report or go to EPA’s website https://www.airnow.gov/. The Air Quality Index uses a color-coded system to display whether the five major airpollutants exceed air
Page Two … Reduce exposures to asthma triggers
quality standards for the day. When the Air Quality Index reports unhealthy levels, people, particularly asthmatics and others with respiratory ailments, should limit strenuous outdoor activities.
· Don’t smoke in the home. Take it outside. One of the most common asthma triggersin the home is second- hand smoke. Take the EPA ‘smoke-free home’ pledge: http://www.epa.gov/smokefree.
· Break the mold. Mold is another asthma trigger. The key to controlling mold is controlling moisture. Wash and dry hard surfaces to prevent and remove mold. Remove, and if possible replace, moldy ceiling tiles and carpet. For more see EPA’s website: http://www.epa.gov/asthma/molds.html
For information on EPA’s mid-Atlantic regional asthma program and other asthma triggers please see: http://www.epa.gov/reg3artd/asthma/asthma.htm and http://www.epa.gov/asthma/awm/.
To hear an audio podcast about National
Nursing Center Consortium (NNCC), a community based organization in
Philadelphia, and EPA’s efforts to tackle asthma
visit:
https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-3-mid-atlantic
To learn more about NNCC see: https://nurseledcare.phmc.org/site/
EPA encourages community-based organizations to
join the on-line Community in Action for Asthma-Friendly
Environments Network at www.asthmacommunitynetwork.org. The network provides community-based organizations
with information, webinars, resources, and strategies to accelerate
improvements in asthma care.