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Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department Environmental Public Health Air Quality

Asthma is Serious.

Asthma is the most common chronic disease in childhood. About one-tenth of the children in the United States have asthma or will have at least one attack. Many children have to miss school because of these attacks. Serious attacks can send a child to the hospital. An asthma attack can be frightening and dangerous. It also limits a child's ability to play, participate in sports, or be a part of other activities.

If any member of the family has or had asthma, the chances are other family members will also have asthma. Both the number and seriousness of asthma attacks have increased in recent years.

Pollutants in the Home Can Trigger Asthma Attacks.

Even in very clean homes, certain things in the air can cause a child, or an adult, to have an asthma attack. Some of these triggers are obvious; some are not often associated with asthma. These asthma triggers include:

• pollen
• cockroaches
• dust
• pet dander
• some drugs
• paint fumes
• perfume
• mold
• some pesticides
• certain foods
• some cleaning chemicals
• environmental tobacco smoke

Not everyone will react to the same cause in the same way. Some things will cause an asthma attack in one person but not in another. In addition, other events can cause asthma attacks. These events include emotional stresses or sudden changes in humidity or temperature.

You Can Reduce Risk.

While you probably will not be able to completely end asthma attacks, you can do things to reduce how often they occur and how serious they are.

• Don't smoke indoors or in vehicles.
• Keep your child indoors on days when pollutants (such as mold spores or pollen) are high.
• Have all gas appliances checked to ensure they are working properly. These appliances include furnaces, water heaters, and gas stoves.
• Change the filters on furnaces regularly (for example, every month) and use high efficiency filters.
• Use the exhaust fan when cooking on a gas stove. Never use a gas stove to heat the home.
• Control household humidity. Keep it between 30 and 50%.
• Vent dryers to the outside.
• Keep the house clean. Use a high efficiency vacuum filter.
• Get rid of cockroaches.

InterLinc City of Lincoln Departments Category Location Health Environmental Public Health Environmental Quality Air Quality