Asthma
Improving Health in Schools
Louisiana Recovery School District Addresses Asthma
Tiffany Delcour speaks about how the Louisiana Recovery School District is making a positive difference in addressing asthma in its schools.
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Asthma is the leading cause of school absenteeism due to a chronic condition, accounting for more than 10.5 million missed school days per year. An average of one out of every ten school-age children has asthma. The percentage of children with asthma is rising more rapidly in preschool-age children than in any other age group.
Asthma triggers that affect children in schools include:
- Animal allergens.
- Cockroach and pest allergens.
- Mold and moisture.
- Dust mites.
- Outdoor air pollutants, like ozone and particle pollution, or school bus diesel exhaust.
Resources
Children spend a lot of time in our nation's schools, and with an average of one out of every 10 school-aged children suffering from asthma, the school environment is an important vehicle for managing asthma triggers. Schools, like homes, have the potential to house several asthma triggers, including mold and moisture, pests and dust mites.
Download the newly updated Managing Asthma in the School Environment document to learn how you can help control asthma at your school and boost student performance — as asthma accounts for more than 10.5 million missed school days each year in children aged 5 to 17. This resource is also available in PDF (PDF, 16 pp., 977 K, about PDF)
EPA Programs
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Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program EPA developed the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program to help schools reduce exposures to indoor environmental contaminants and manage asthma in the school environment. The Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action Kit helps schools identify, resolve and prevent indoor air quality problems using low and no-cost measures.
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Integrated Pest Management in Schools EPA recommends that schools use integrated pest management (IPM) to reduce pesticide risk and exposure to children. A school IPM program uses common sense strategies to reduce sources of food, water and shelter for pests in school buildings and grounds. An IPM program takes advantage of all pest management strategies, including the judicious and careful use of pesticides when necessary. |
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Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign The Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign aims to ensure that all schools are free from hazards associated with mismanaged chemicals. It gives K-12 schools information and tools to responsibly manage chemicals. |
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Clean School Bus USA The goals of Clean School Bus USA are to reduce children's exposure to diesel exhaust and the amount of air pollution created by diesel school buses. |