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Childhood Asthma and Indoor Allergens: The Classroom May Be a CulpritBarbara L. Epstien, MPH, CIH, is senior industrial hygienist with Air Quality Sciences, Inc., in Atlanta, GA. She has more than 20 years of experience in occupational and environmental health, encompassing regulatory compliance, training, and consulting services. She has assessed chemical and microbial contamination in numerous schools, commercial and industrial buildings, and residential environments. She is certified by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) in the comprehensive practice of industrial hygiene Asthma has become the most common chronic illness among children. Indoor environments appear to play a substantial role in the development of asthma. Recent studies indicate strong evidence of a causal relationship between exposure to certain indoor environmental pollutants and development and/or exacerbation of asthma in susceptible individuals. Allergens of concern include those produced by dust mites, cockroaches, cats, dogs, and molds. It is important to better understand this relationship and take preventive and corrective steps to reduce or eliminate these sources in schools, homes, and day care centers. Measures include tracking of asthma and allergic response incidents; monitoring for the presence of allergens and molds; effective cleaning procedures; prompt repair of water leaks and/or moisture problems; control of indoor relative humidity; and proper operation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Key Words: allergens asthma cockroaches dust mites indoor air quality molds pets
The Journal of School Nursing, Vol. 17, No. 5,
253-257 (2001) |
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