Family & Consumer Science News
May is Asthma Awareness Month
By Terri Black County Extension Agent

Each year local, national and international organizations join together to increase public understanding of asthma and the environmental factors that can trigger an attack.

Americans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, so it is important to be aware of the quality of the air you breathe inside your home. The National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine found that exposure to secondhand smoke and indoor allergens such as dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches and mold can aggra-

vate asthma symptoms. For preschool children, exposure to dust mites and secondhand smoke can cause asthma.

By taking a few simple steps you can reduce your exposure to common indoor environmental asthma triggers. Listed below are a few simple steps you can take.

1. Reduce exposure to dust mites by covering mattresses and pillows with dust proof or allergen impermeable covers.

2. Wash your bedding weekly in hot water.

3. Dust mites can be found in stuffed toys. Wash them often and keep them out of sleeping areas.

4. Vacuum carpets, rugs and furniture two to three times per week to reduce dust and pet dander.

5. Do not allow smoking inside your home.

6. Control mold by controlling moisture in your home.

7. When you see mold, clean the surface and dry it completely.

8. Maintain low indoor humidity, ideally between 30 and 50 percent relative humidity.

9. To reduce cockroach and similar pests, eliminate clutter and store food in airtight containers.

10. Use baits for roaches before using pesticide sprays.

Work with your doctor to determine what environmental factors affect your asthma and develop a plan to manage those potential triggers. For more information contact the Burke County Extension Office at (706) 554- 2119.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov/ asthma/); and

Environmental Protection Agency (www.epa.gov/asthma/ index.html)