Asthma Management in Your School Tracey Mitchell US EPA Indoor Environments Division 2nd Annual Tools for Schools Symposium August 10, 2001

Overview Asthma is a serious public health issue in schools Estimated 5 million children under 18 have asthma Asthma is the leading cause of absenteeism due to a chronic condition Healthy indoor environments are crucial in the management of asthma 1 in 13 school children has asthma 1 in 5 Americans spends his/her day in a school building Children often spend up to eight hours a day in a school building

Good Indoor Air is Important for Health Schools can improve indoor environments for all students and staff, especially those with asthma, by reducing their exposure to pollutants that may cause or trigger asthma Schools can overcome many indoor environmental issues using an EPA Kit called Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools (IAQ TfS)

Poor Indoor Air -- the Asthma Connection Asthma episodes can be triggered by elements in the indoor environment These triggers are found in school buildings: Animal dander Cockroach body parts and feces Dust Mites Mold Spores Environmental Tobacco Smoke Bronchial irritants also found: chemicals, cleaners, dust, fragrances, fumes, food odors, etc.

Good Indoor Air is Important for Learning Asthma is the leading chronic disease causing school absenteeism 10 million missed school days per year Children who aren’t in school can’t learn Interrupted or restless sleep Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can lead to headaches, dizziness, sleepiness and other factors inhibiting performance in the classroom Poor IAQ can reduce a person’s ability to perform specific mental tasks requiring concentration, calculation or memory

Schools Can Improve Their Indoor Environments Many IAQ problems can be easily identified and solved by school staff EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Kit (IAQ TfS) provides guidance IAQ Coordinators Guide Checklists Video Asthma Companion Guide

Schools Can Improve Their Indoor Environments IAQ TfS is a successful program used in over 4000 schools nationwide Embraced by NEA, PTA, ALA, ASBO, and many other organizations

EPA’s Goals 2.5 million people with asthma will have reduced exposure to asthma triggers, including 1,000,000 children with asthma Improve quality of air for 2,500,000 people using school buildings daily

How EPA Plans to Meet It’s Goals EPA wants to make IAQ Tools for Schools available to, and successful for, every school in America Provide support and tools for any school willing to take steps to improve their schools indoor environment Support organizations and programs that have asthma management in schools Partner IAQ Tools for Schools with asthma management programs in schools

Partnering to Achieve Success Non-profit organizations who are actively working to improve the environment of our nations schools to provide a healthy learning environment for our children: American Lung Association - Open Airways for Schools National Association of School Nurses - Managing Asthma Triggers: Keeping Students Health Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America - Meeting in a Box: Asthma Management at School Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics - School Information Packet

Partnering to Achieve Success Additional non-profit organizations who are actively working to improve the environment of our nations schools: National Education Association National Parent Teacher Association American Association for Respiratory Care American Association of School Administrators And many, many more