United States

Environmental

Protection Agency

Office of Air and Radiation

EPA/402-F-99-005

July 1999

Your childr our children will br en will breathe easier the easier

United States

Environmental Protection Agency

Mail Code 6604J

Washington, DC 20460

Official Business

Penalty for Private Use $300

Clear Your

Home Of

Asthma Triggers

Asthma is a serious lung disease.

During an asthma attack, the airways

get narrow, making it difficult to breathe.

Symptoms of asthma include wheezing,

shortness of breath, and coughing.

Asthma can even cause death.

If you have asthma

or a child with asthma,

you are not alone.

About 17 million Americans have asthma.

Asthma is the leading cause of long-term The air that illness in children.

children breathe

can make a difference. 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.

Act now

against

asthma

at home.
Not all of the asthma

triggers addressed in this

brochure affect every person

with asthma. Not all asthma

triggers are listed here. See

your doctor or health care

provider for more

information.

Also...

House dust may contain

asthma triggers. Remove

dust often with a damp

cloth, and vacuum carpet

and fabric-covered furniture

to reduce dust build-up.

Allergic people should leave

the area being vacuumed.

Using vacuums with high

efficiency filters or central

vacuums may be helpful.

When your local weather

forecast announces an

ozone action day,

stay indoors as much as

possible.

For more

information:

U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency

http://www.epa.gov/iaq

EPA Indoor Air Quality

Information Clearinghouse

(800) 438-4318

National Asthma Education

and Prevention Program

Guidelines for the Diagnosis and

Management of Asthma, 1997

(301) 592-8573

Allergy and Asthma Network/

Mothers of 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

Secondhand smoke

Asthma can be triggered by the smoke from the burning end of a

cigarette, pipe, or cigar and the smoke breathed out by a smoker.

❏ 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 found in every home.

Dust mites live in mattresses, pillows, carpets, fabric-covered furniture,

bedcovers, clothes, and stuffed toys.

❏ Wash sheets and blankets once a week in hot water.

❏ Choose washable stuffed toys, wash them often in hot water, and dry

thoroughly. Keep stuffed toys off beds.

❏ Cover mattresses and pillows in dust-proof (allergen-impermeable)

zippered covers.

Pets

Your pets skin flakes, urine, and saliva can be asthma triggers.

❏ Consider keeping pets outdoors or even finding a new home for your

pets, if necessary.

❏ Keep pets out of the bedroom and other sleeping areas at all times, and

keep the door closed.

❏ Keep pets away from fabric-covered furniture, carpets, and stuffed toys.

Molds

Molds grow on damp materials. The key to mold control is moisture

control. If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and get rid

of excess water or moisture. Lowering the moisture also helps reduce

other triggers, such as dust mites and cockroaches.

❏ Wash mold off hard surfaces and dry completely. Absorbent materials,

such as ceiling tiles and carpet, with mold may need to be replaced.

❏ Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water.

❏ Keep drip pans in your air conditioner, refrigerator, and dehumidifier

clean and dry.

❏ Use exhaust fans or open windows in kitchens and bathrooms when

showering, cooking, or using the dishwasher.

❏ Vent clothes dryers to the outside.

❏ 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 of pests such as cockroaches or rodents can be

asthma triggers.

❏ Do not leave food or garbage out.

❏ Store food in airtight containers.

❏ Clean all food crumbs or spilled liquids right away.

❏ Try using poison baits, boric acid (for cockroaches), or traps first before

using pesticidal sprays.

If sprays are used:

❏ Limit the spray to infested area.

❏ Carefully follow instructions on the label.

❏ Make sure there is plenty of fresh air when you spray, and keep the

person with asthma out of the room.

Clear Y Clear Your Home Of Asthma T our Home Of Asthma Triggers