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
9Mold, dust mites,
cockroaches, animal
dander, pollens, foods
„
Irritants
9Secondhand smoke,
strong odors, volatile
organic compounds,
ozone, particulate
matter, aerosols
„
Other
9Viral respiratory
infections
9Changes in weather
(cold air, wind,
humidity)
9Exercise
9Medication
Indoor School Environment
All of the common allergen and irritant
triggers are found indoors
„ Americans spend about 90% time indoors
„ Reducing exposure to indoor allergens &
irritants can reduce asthma symptoms
„ Prevention is an important asthma
management tool
„
Most Common Indoor
Environmental Triggers
9 Animals in the classroom
9 Dust Mites
9 Mold
9 Pests such as cockroaches & rodents
9 Secondhand smoke
Animals In The Classroom
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:
„
9 Keep animals in cages or localized areas
9 Clean cages regularly
9 Locate animals away from ventilation system
9 Locate sensitive students away from animals
9 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 and mite droppings can cause asthma
and trigger existing asthma
„
Avoiding Dust Mite Triggers
9 Select washable stuffed toys and wash them
often in HOT water
9 Cover pillows and mattresses in dust-proof
zipped covers
9 Vacuum often when people who are allergic
aren’t around
Mold
Found almost everywhere and can 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
9 Wash mold off hard surfaces
9 Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles
and carpet may need to be replaced
9 Fix leaky plumbing and roofs
9 Reduce condensation on cold surfaces such
as exterior walls by adding insulation
9 Don’t install carpet in areas with regular
moisture problems such as drinking
fountains and classroom sinks
Pests
Cockroaches and other pests such as rats
and mice 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
„
9 Look for signs of pests
9 Do not leave food, water or garbage exposed
9 Remove pest pathways and shelters
9 Use pest control products, 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
environmental 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
9 Minnesota law prohibits tobacco use in all
K-12 public schools
9 Enforce smoking bans
Outdoor Environment
„ Can trigger asthma
„ Outdoor air quality
9 Ozone
9 Particulate matter
„ School buses
9Diesel emissions
9State 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
„
School Buses
„
State law requires schools to:
9 Reduce unnecessary bus idling in front of schools
9 Reroute bus parking zones away from air intake
vents, if possible
„
Actions include:
9 Post “no idling” signs
9 Maintain bus fleet
9 Invest in cleaner fuels
9 Purchase newer, cleaner buses over the long-term
Other Environmental 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 Plan
„
IAQ Management Plan must include:
9 Certified (trained) IAQ Coordinator
9 Walkthrough of all school buildings
9 Evaluate specific building systems
9 Written policies
» Correct existing problems
» Prevent future problems
» Respond to emergencies and concerns
9 School board approval
Cleaning And Cleaning Products
9 Remove spots and stains immediately using
manufacturer’s recommendations
9 Keep the dirt out by using walk-off mats at
ALL entrances
9 Use recommended amounts of products
9 Avoid products with irritants, chemicals or
strong odors that may affect students and
staff
9 Don’t mix cleaning products
Flooring
9 No one floor covering works for all situations
9 Maintenance is key
9 Keep out dirt, use walk-off mats
9 Regular vacuuming helps reduce allergens
9 Carpet and Rug Institute “Green Label”
program for vacuum cleaners
9 Consider carpet with high density, short pile
& short level loop
Air Cleaners
Consider other control methods first
„ Need to consider type and size for best results
„ Avoid ozone air cleaners
„
Acknowledgements & Resources
„ Resources and materials used
US Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/asthma/index.html
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
http://aqi.pca.state.mn.us/hourly/
Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance
http://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/