Health Research
Asthma Research
It is estimated that over 20 million Americans suffer from asthma. Although children appear to be the population most at risk, there is growing concern that new cases are also arising in adults, particularly in the elderly.
EPA is working to explore the role of common air pollutants in the development and exacerbation of asthma at different life stages as well as other environmental and genetic factors that might make a person more sensitive to developing asthma. Improved understanding of the different underlying causes of asthma can lead to the development and design of strategies to protect asthmatics from air pollutants and improve community health.