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In the News!
Follow the links below for messages designed for you.
Parents and Caregivers
Find out what you can do to eliminate asthma triggers in your home (go to www.noattacks.org
[En Español]
Learn about asthma studies and how you can help patients manage environmental asthma triggers.
Learn how to partner with us and receive materials at no-cost.
View public service announcements (PSAs, video news releases (VNRs) and other media materials about asthma and learn more about our National Public Awareness and Media Campaign.
Communities in Action for Asthma Friendly Environments National Forum May 1-2, 2008
Join more than 250 participants representing community-based asthma programs to share best practices and discuss effective strategies for managing asthma and achieving results. Read more about the National Asthma Forum, visit www.epaasthmaforum.com
EPA Funded Studies Link Dampness and Mold to Significant Respiratory Problems and to High Costs of Medical Treatment
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory conducted a meta-analysis which suggests that building dampness and mold are associated with increases of 30%-50% in respiratory and asthma related health outcomes. EPA funded this study, and a related analysis which estimates that 21% of asthma in the US is linked to exposures to mold and dampness in homes, and that this costs the nation an estimated $3.5 billion annually in treatment costs.
Access the Articles and Read the Abstracts online
- Meta-analyses of the associations of respiratory health effects with dampness and mold in homes W. J. Fisk, Q. Lei-Gomez, M. J. Mendell, Indoor Air July 2007
www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1600-0668.2007.00475.x- Public health and economic impact of dampness and mold D. Mudarri and W. J. Fisk Indoor Air 17:3;226-235, June 2007
www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1600-0668.2007.00474.xRead the press release - www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/EETD-mold-risk.html
Read more about mold - www.epa.gov/mold
May is Asthma Awareness Month
Each year, in the month of May, EPA joins international, national and local Asthma Awareness Month Activities to increase public understanding of asthma and environmental asthma triggers. Be sure to check EPA's website throughout the month for current lists of local opportunities, events, media outreach, new materials and local Asthma Awareness Month efforts to increase public understanding of ways to manage the environment to control asthma. World Asthma Day is May 6, 2008.
- Read more about Asthma Awareness Month [En Español]
EPA-Funded Study Finds Key Elements of Successful Asthma Programs
(May 2, 2006) EPA and the University of Michigan have released the results of an international study of over 400 asthma programs in one of the most wide-reaching assessments to date. The study, conducted by the University of Michigan School of Public Health with funding from EPA, found that asthma programs that address environmental triggers work best to improve health outcomes such as reduced emergency room visits, improved quality of life, and fewer missed days of school or work when they build strong connections with front-line health care providers and local communities. Read more about the Asthma Health Outcomes Project Read the EPA Press Release
Toolkit for Reducing Diesel Emissions
The New England Asthma Regional Council (ARC) is a coalition of public agencies, private organizations and researchers in New England working to address the environmental contributors to asthma. ARC's members bring together the diverse perspectives and resources of health, housing, education, environment, managed care and advocacy organizations to focus on asthma. ARC designed this online toolkit to help school communities, environmental officials, and others make informed decisions about ways to reduce harmful diesel emissions from school buses. It includes materials created by ARC and resources developed by numerous organizations and agencies around the country. Originally designed to support activities in New England, the resources may benefit any state that seeks to improve the health of America ’s school children by reducing diesel bus emissions. Questions can be directed to the Asthma Regional Council of New England at (617) 451-0049 (ext. 512) or visit www.asthmaregionalcouncil.org/about/_BusToolkit.htm
More Than 70 Percent Could Better Manage Asthma Triggers, EPA Survey Finds
In the first national awareness survey on environmental asthma triggers, EPA has found that fewer than 30 percent of people with asthma are taking simple steps to reduce exposure to asthma triggers. Exposure to asthma triggers such as secondhand smoke, cockroaches, dust mites, mold, and ozone can cause asthma in young children or set off asthma attacks. Read the News Release