Exposure to Asthma Triggers in Homes of Low-Income Asthmatic Children. T. Takaro, J. Krieger, L. Song, C. Allen, L. Lopez, J. Roberts, and J. Q. Koenig; University of Washington and Public Health Seattle King Co.
Indoor environmental quality may play an important role in the increasing prevalence of asthma. This study evaluates the home environment of 261 households of low-income asthmatic children in Seattle-King Co., along with caregiver knowledge and available resources to reduce these triggers. A household was eligible for enrollment if it included a child age 4-12 yrs. with asthma of at least mild persistent severity and a household income less than 200% poverty. A home environmental specialist established a relationship with the household, assessed and addressed exposure to dust mites, cockroaches, rodents, moisture and mold, tobacco smoke and pets. A smoker was present in 39.1% of homes. Mold and moisture problems were common with visible mold or moldy smell in 50.6% of homes. Poor ventilation and dust-trapping reservoirs were common; 77.5% of children’s bedrooms had carpeting, and 56.2% had stuffed animals. Cockroach infestation was present in 18.8% and dander-producing pets were present in 21.8% of homes. Awareness of tobacco (97.3%), dust (95.4%), wood smoke (84.3%) and mold (82.7%) as asthma triggers was high, while fewer (39.5%) were aware of roaches. Most homes lacked basic resources for reducing exposures, e.g. allergy control covers were available in only 10.8% of homes. Many low-income children with asthma in King County live in indoor environments which place them at substantial risk of ongoing exposure to asthma triggers. Caretakers of these children often lack the resources to improve indoor environmental quality and control their children’s asthma. Initiatives involving caretakers and their communities, health and housing providers are needed to improve asthma control among low-income households.
This abstract is funded by the NIEHS grant # R21 ES09095-01.
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