Patient description: The patient is a 15-year-old boy with asthma diagnosed a year ago. He presents with shortness of breath, chest tightening and cough. According to his mother, he didn't respond to the usual corticosteroid inhaler. He was admitted to the emergency department with diagnosis of severe asthma exacerbation. He is a candidate for general corticosteroid therapy. Spirometry revealed a forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) of 60% of the predicted. His past medical history is non-significant. His family history is significant for asthma in his mother and his uncle. He used to be treated with combination of inhaled corticosteroids and Zafirlukast.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria: eligible ages (years): 18.0-45.0,  Airway Inflammation Allergic Asthma Age 18-45 of both genders 2. Negative pregnancy test for females who are not s/p hysterectomy with oopherectomy 3. Calculated 10 year risk of CVD by the Framingham risk score of <5% Specific for Healthy Volunteers 4. No history of episodic wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath consistent with asthma, or physician diagnoses asthma. 5. FEV1 of at least 80% of predicted and FEV1/FVC ratio of at least .70 Specific for Allergic Asthmatic Volunteers 6. History of episodic wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath consistent with asthma, or physician diagnosed asthma. 7. A POST-bronchodilator increase in FEV1 of at least 12%, OR a clinical history of asthma after the age of 6. 8. FEV1 of at least 75% of predicted without use of short acting bronchodilating medications for 12 hours, consistent with lung function of persons with no more than mild episodic or mild persistent asthma. 9. Mild persistent asthmatics must be well controlled (in accordance with NHLBI guidelines) and willing to discontinue Singulair, inhaled corticosteroids or cromolyn for a period of 2 weeks prior to study visits (except for use of cromolyn exclusively prior to exercise) 10. Allergic sensitization to at least one of the following allergen preparations: (House Dust Mite f, House dust mite p, Cockroach, Tree mix, Grass Mix, Weed Mix, Mold Mix 1, Mold Mix 2, Rat, Mouse, Guinea Pig, Rabbit, Cat or Dog) confirmed by positive immediate skin test response; or a clinical history consistent with seasonal or perennial allergy symptoms. 11. Subjects must be willing to avoid caffeine for 12 hours prior to all visits. Allergy skin testing are performed as part of IRB98-0799, which a subject must complete in order to be considered for this protocol  Patients who meet any of these are not eligible for enrollment as study participants: 1. Clinical contraindications: 1. Any chronic medical condition considered by the PI as a contraindication to the exposure study including significant cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic renal disease, chronic thyroid disease, history of chronic infections/immunodeficiency, history of tuberculosis. 2. Viral upper respiratory tract infection within 4 weeks of challenge. 3. Any acute infection requiring antibiotics within 4 weeks of exposure or fever of unknown origin within 4 weeks of challenge. 4. Abnormal physical findings at the baseline visit, including but not limited to abnormalities on auscultation, temperature of 37.8° C, Systolic BP > 150mm Hg or < 85 mm Hg; or Diastolic BP > 90 mm Hg or < 50 mm Hg, or pulse oximetry saturation reading less than 94%. 5. Unwillingness to use reliable contraception if sexually active (IUD, birth control pills/patch, condoms). 6. Use of immunosuppressive or anticoagulant medications including routine use of Oral contraceptives are acceptable, as are Antidepressants and other medications may be permitted if, in the opinion of the investigator, the medication will not interfere with the study procedures or compromise safety and if the dosage has been stable for 1 month 7. Orthopedic in juries or impediments that would preclude bicycle or treadmill exercise. 8. Mental illness or history of drug or alcohol abuse that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with the participant's ability to comply with study requirements. 9. Medications which may impact the results of the WSP exposure, interfere with any other medications potentially used in the study (to steroids, beta antagonists, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents). 10. Inability to avoid Multivitamins, Vitamin C or E or herbal medications in the 4 days prior to the screening visit the exposure session. 11. Symptomatic allergic rhinitis or current active allergies. 12. Cigarette smoking > 1 pack per month Specific for Healthy Volunteers 13. Physician diagnosis of asthma. Specific for Asthmatic Volunteers 14. Physician directed emergency treatment for an asthma exacerbation within the preceding 3 months 15. Moderate or Severe asthma 16. Exacerbation of asthma more than 2x/week which would be characteristic of a person of moderate or severe persistent asthma as outlined in the current NHLBI guidelines for diagnosis and management of asthma. 17. Daily requirement for albuterol due to asthma symptoms (cough, wheeze, chest tightness) which would be characteristic of a person of moderate or severe persistent asthma as outlined in the current NHLBI guidelines for diagnosis and management of asthma. (Not to prophylactic use of albuterol prior to exercise). 18. Nighttime symptoms of cough or wheeze greater than 1x/week at baseline (not during a clearly recognized viral induced asthma exacerbation) which would be characteristic of a person of moderate or severe persistent asthma as outlined in the current NHLBI guidelines for diagnosis and management of asthma 19. History of intubation for asthma 20. Use of systemic steroid therapy within the preceding 3 months for an asthma exacerbation. All use of systemic steroids in the last year will be reviewed by a study physician. 21. Use of inhaled steroids, cromolyn or leukotriene inhibitors (Montelukast or Zafirlukast) except for use of cromolyn exclusively prior to exercise. 22. Use of daily theophylline within the past month