1、Asthma And The School Environment,Developed and Prepared by the Minnesota Department of Health June 2004,Minnesota Department of Health www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hpcd/cdee/asthma,Common Asthma Triggers,Allergens Mold, dust mites, cockroaches, animal dander, pollens, foods Irritants Secondhand smok
2、e, strong odors, volatile organic compounds, ozone, particulate matter, aerosols,Other Viral respiratory infections Changes in weather (cold air, wind, humidity) Exercise Medication,Indoor School Environment,All of the common allergen and irritant triggers are found indoors Americans spend about 90%
3、 time indoors Reducing exposure to indoor allergens & irritants can reduce asthma symptoms Prevention is an important asthma management tool,Most Common Indoor Environmental Triggers,Animals in the classroom Dust Mites Mold Pests such as cockroaches & rodents Secondhand smoke,Animals In The Classroo
4、m,Skin flakes, urine and saliva of warm blooded animals can be asthma triggers Triggers can remain for several months after the animal is removed,Avoiding Animal Triggers,Remove animals from school, if possible If removing animals is not possible: Keep animals in cages or localized areas Clean cages
5、 regularly Locate animals away from ventilation system Locate sensitive students away from animals Keep animals away from upholstered furniture and carpets,Dust Mites,Found in most schools Live in soft bedding such as pillows, carpet, stuffed toys, fabric-covered furniture Feed on skin flakes Mites
6、and mite droppings can cause asthma and trigger existing asthma,Avoiding Dust Mite Triggers,Select washable stuffed toys and wash them often in HOT water Cover pillows and mattresses in dust-proof zipped covers Vacuum often when people who are allergic arent around,Mold,Found almost everywhere and c
7、an grow on almost any damp substance Key to mold control is moisture control Eliminate excess moisture and clean up mold Reducing moisture also reduces other triggers such as dust mites and cockroaches,Avoiding Mold Triggers,Wash mold off hard surfaces Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles and c
8、arpet may need to be replaced Fix leaky plumbing and roofs Reduce condensation on cold surfaces such as exterior walls by adding insulation Dont install carpet in areas with regular moisture problems such as drinking fountains and classroom sinks,Pests,Cockroaches and other pests such as rats and mi
9、ce can be found in schools Droppings or body parts of pests can trigger asthma,Avoiding Pest Triggers,Integrated pest management (IPM) is used to avoid exposure Key IPM methods Look for signs of pests Do not leave food, water or garbage exposed Remove pest pathways and shelters Use pest control prod
10、ucts, such as poison baits, traps and pesticide sprays only as needed Avoid eating or drinking in classrooms,Parents Right To Know Act,Applies to public and non-public K-12 schools Must notify parents and employees when plan to apply specific pesticides MDH has model notices available on the environ
11、mental website page,Secondhand Smoke,Also called environmental tobacco smoke Contains over 4,000 substances Can cause asthma in young children Can trigger asthma attacks,Avoiding Secondhand Smoke,Minnesota law prohibits tobacco use in all K-12 public schools Enforce smoking bans,Outdoor Environment,
12、Can trigger asthma Outdoor air quality Ozone Particulate matter School buses Diesel emissions State law,Outdoor Air Quality,School staff have little control over most pollutants Sign up for Air Quality Index alert Pollution Control Agency sends electronic alerts when poor outdoor air is expected,Sch
13、ool Buses,State law requires schools to: Reduce unnecessary bus idling in front of schools Reroute bus parking zones away from air intake vents, if possible Actions include: Post “no idling” signs Maintain bus fleet Invest in cleaner fuels Purchase newer, cleaner buses over the long-term,Other Envir
14、onmental Issues,Indoor Air Quality Management Plan Cleaning and cleaning products Flooring Air cleaners,Indoor Air Quality Management Plan,State law requires school districts to develop an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management Plan Health and Safety funds are tied to an approved plan,IAQ Management Pl
15、an,IAQ Management Plan must include: Certified (trained) IAQ Coordinator Walkthrough of all school buildings Evaluate specific building systems Written policies Correct existing problems Prevent future problems Respond to emergencies and concerns School board approval,Cleaning And Cleaning Products,
16、Remove spots and stains immediately using manufacturers recommendations Keep the dirt out by using walk-off mats at ALL entrances Use recommended amounts of products Avoid products with irritants, chemicals or strong odors that may affect students and staff Dont mix cleaning products,Flooring,No one
17、 floor covering works for all situations Maintenance is key Keep out dirt, use walk-off mats Regular vacuuming helps reduce allergens Carpet and Rug Institute “Green Label” program for vacuum cleaners Consider carpet with high density, short pile & short level loop,Air Cleaners,Consider other contro
18、l methods first Need to consider type and size for best results Avoid ozone air cleaners,Acknowledgements & Resources,Resources and materials usedUS Environmental Protection Agencyhttp:/www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/asthma/index.html Minnesota Pollution Control Agencyhttp:/aqi.pca.state.mn.us/hourly/ Minn
19、esota Office of Environmental Assistancehttp:/www.moea.state.mn.us/ee/noidle.cfm,Acknowledgements & Resources,Resources and materials used MDH Environmental Health Division http:/www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/schools/index.html Minnesota Department of Agriculture http:/www.mda.state.mn.us/ipm/ipminschools.html Institute of Medicine Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures http:/www.nap.edu/books/0309064961/html/,
