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Supporting Science
 

Supporting Science

Indoor Exposures

EPA commissioned a National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine expert panel review of the scientific evidence on the relationships between indoor air pollution and asthma. The landmark report, Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Exposures, released in 2000, guides much of the national effort to improve environments through various EPA programs. Several key findings include:

Outdoor Pollution

Extensive research on the relationship between outdoor air pollution and asthma has determined that exposure to ozone and particle pollution can trigger asthma attacks, especially in people who are active outdoors.

Emerging Science

Some evidence suggests that in utero exposure to tobacco smoke can increase the risk of developing asthma.

 EPA supports efforts to understand the links between environmental factors and asthma.  In 2002, EPA scientists developed the Asthma Research Strategy to further scientific understanding of exposure, health effects, risk assessment, and risk management of indoor and outdoor environmental pollutants linked to asthma.

EPA supports studies to address three high-priority areas in asthma research:

  1. The role of air pollutants may play in induction and exacerbation of asthma.
     
  2. Susceptibility, or factors that increase risk for subgroups of Americans.  Because where a person lives determines in part what is in the air he or she breathes, residence history is a priority for research in the susceptibility area.  Genetic factors, which may interact with environmental exposures, are also a primary focus.
     
  3. Interventions for reducing the risks from environmental factors (e.g., controlling cockroaches and other types of allergens, improving indoor air quality, and providing educational opportunities to affected communities).

In addition to collaboration with universities, Federal Agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other, EPA provides grants to increase scientific understanding of topics of asthma and the environment.  For more information about potential funding opportunities, see www.epa.gov/epahome/finance.htm

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

Read the press release - www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/EETD-mold-risk.html

Read more about mold - www.epa.gov/mold

EPA-Funded Study Finds Key Elements of Successful Asthma Programs

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.

National Survey on Environmental Management of Asthma and Children’s Environmental Tobacco Smoke

The National Survey on Environmental Management of Asthma and Children’s Exposure to ETS (NSEMA/CEE) was a national telephone survey conducted in English and Spanish.  The Survey was developed by EPA in consultation with The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) and National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).  The Survey was conducted from April to September in 2003. This survey was the first ever national data collected on environmental asthma trigger awareness, actions taken to reduce exposure to environmental asthma triggers, and barriers to trigger reductions action. This survey  updates information on all children’s exposure to environmental tobacco spoke [ETS/second hand smoke], comparable to that obtained in CDC’s 1998 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). 

The National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine convened experts to review the evidence on the relationship between indoor air pollution and asthma. The panel's report, Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures, guides much of EPA's work on indoor asthma triggers. Some of the key findings include:

The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) convened experts in coordination with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to review the scientific literature and produce guidelines to define the best diagnosis and management practices for asthma. NAEPP's Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma includes recommendations for controlling environmental factors that contribute to asthma severity, medical diagnosis and treatment.

EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD)

EPA's ORD has released a report titled, "EPA's Asthma Research Results Highlights", which highlights results of asthma research.  ORD is implementing an Asthma Research Strategy to address issues of exposure, health effects, risk assessment and risk management of indoor and outdoor environmental asthma triggers. This research will advance scientific understanding and guide EPA's efforts to reduce the burden of asthma.

For additional information - visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) asthma page - www.cdc.gov/asthma

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