According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors. Indoors allergens and irritants greatly add to the risk of triggering an asthma attack. The CDC ( www.cdc.gov) goes on to state: It is important to recognize potential asthma triggers in the indoor environment and reduce your exposure to those triggers.
- Center for Disease Control & Prevention
Some of the most common indoor asthma triggers include:
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Second hand smoke
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Dust mites
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Mold
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Cockroaches
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Pets
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Nitrogen Dioxide
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A Dirty Home
Let’s take a look at some of the triggers mentioned above:
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MOLD-There is no practical way to eliminate all molds indoors; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture. If you think you have a mold problem and can see mold growth, you do not need environmental testing to determine what kind of mold you have. Instead, simply clean the mold from the surface it’s growing on and dry the surface thoroughly, according to the U.S. EPA www.epa.gov. For people sensitive to molds, inhaling mold spores can cause an asthma attack. If mold is a problem in your home you need to clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture. Try washing mold off hard surfaces-Some absorbent materials like carpeting & ceiling tiles may have to be discarded. Fix leaking pipes or ground water penetration and maintain drip pans in cooling systems, refrigerators and dehumidifiers. Always use exhaust fans and open windows in kitchens and bathrooms when bathing or cooking. Vent clothes dryer to the outside (keep vent pipe clean to prevent fires). Ideally indoor humidity levels should be between 30-50% relative humidity (inexpensive hygrometers are available at most hardware stores).
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NITROGEN DIOXIDE-Appliances such as gas stoves, fireplaces, your homes gas or oil furnaces and wood stoves can produce Nitrogen Dioxide as a byproduct. NO2 is an odorless gas that can cause irritation to the eyes, throat and nasal cavities. Children with asthma are particularly susceptible. To limit the presence of NO2 properly ventilate the room(s) where fuel combustion takes place. Maintain all systems that burn fuel, especially home furnaces and gas space heaters. A simple method to ventilate a room is to open a window slighly during operation of the device. Always remember: Never idle an automobile in your garage!
- PETS-Dead skin cells, urine, feces, saliva and hair from your favirite four legged friend can trigger asthma. Animal dander can usually be found throughout homes with pets (including smaller mammals, i.e. hampsters). Dander is not only an asthma trigger but is also a food source for dustmites ( http://regalfabriccare.com/2009/11/dust-mites-is-there-a-solution/ ). Removing an animal from the home is the most effective way to limit these asthma triggers. When removal is not possible it is especially important to keep the home clean. Cleaning usually requires a program of daily and weekly “chores”. Some of these are: Damp wipe hard surfaces often, wash bed linens weekly, vacuum furniture, carpet, drapes and rugs at least 2x per week. Some believe even when a pet is removed from the home their allergens stay in the home for months….when pets are removed ceiling to floor cleaning is usually advised. Note: If your pet remains in the home, keep him/her clean, also-brush/groom outdoors…and often!
The second part of this two part article will be addressing other asthma triggers that can affect you and your family’s health…stay tuned.
