Indoor Air Pollution can affect people in different ways. Much definitive research to date has focused on asthma, in part due to the severity of the health impacts of asthma. Studies have examined the links between indoor air pollution and the exacerbation of asthma. The triggers that set off an asthma incident are often similar to those that set off an allergic reaction or are irritants to people. As with other areas of science and medicine, opinions differ as to a definative link between indoor air pollution and the onset or exacerbation of asthma or allergies. 

The Indoor Air Alliance believes that indoor air pollution (IAP) can trigger asthma or allergic events in individuals. We believe also that the increase in the number of people with asthma is related to IAP levels in homes, schools and the workplace. We will continue to support research focused on this linkage as well as programs that identify IAP issues, and we will recommend solutions for all at-risk populations.

Some research and data regarding the effects of indoor air pollution and asthma and allergies
 
• The U.S. Center For Disease Control estimates 17.3 million individuals with asthma in 1998.

• Asthma is the most common chronic illness among children in the United States, with one in 13 children under the age of 18 having asthma.

• Five major indoor air triggers for asthma are:
       - molds
       - dust mites
       - cockroaches
       - animal dander
       - secondhand smoke

• The U.S. EPA states that “asthma is an epidemic with a disproportionate impact of children.”

• The prevalence of asthma has increased by 74% from 1980 to 1994.

• Asthma mortality is disproportionately high among African Americans, other minorities and the poor.

• The United States alone has 5,000 asthma deaths per year.

• The numer of asthma related emergency room visits in 1995 was 1.9 million and has since continued to rise.

• Asthma-related health care costs in the United States are approximately $11 billion per year.

• The United States loses over three million workdays per year due to asthma attacks.

• The United States loses over 14 million school days per year due to asthma attacks.

• The U.S. EPA states that “indoor environment management is an important aspect of comprehensive asthma management plan.”

The Institue of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies in a recent study found that there is a relationship between the following indoor factors and the exacerbation of asthma: 
   - dog, cat and other pet dander, dust mites, cockroaches, environmental tobacco smoke
   - NO2 from gas appliances, high humidity, formaldehyde, VOC’s (fragrances, cleaning products) 
   - fungal allergens, pollens and some bacteria and viruses 
The IOM further found that improperly maintained filtration and humidity control equipment can contribute to problems of indoor air pollution. The IOM's general conclusions support an integrated approach of removal or cleaning of allergen reservoirs and control of new source exposure.

The U.S. EPA has launched the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools program. The U.S. EPA's comments and findings include:

• Schools are locations where children spend a large amount of their time indoors, second only to the home. 

• In addition to the 14 million school days lost to asthma, another estimated two million are lost due to allergies. 

• The effective management of IAQ in schools can reduce student exposure to air pollutants that trigger allergies and asthma attacks, potentially improving the students' ability to learn.


The following sites contain information about how the indoor air environment can affect allergies and asthma. If you have a helpful link that you would like us to know about, please send us an email. We can be reached at info@indoorairalliance.org.