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
Mold, dust mites,
cockroaches, animal
dander, pollens, foods

Irritants
Secondhand smoke,
strong odors, volatile
organic compounds,
ozone, particulate
matter, aerosols

Other
Viral respiratory
infections
Changes in weather
(cold air, wind,
humidity)
Exercise
Medication
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
 Animals in the classroom
 Dust Mites
 Mold
 Pests such as cockroaches & rodents
 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:

 Keep animals in cages or localized areas
 Clean cages regularly
 Locate animals away from ventilation system
 Locate sensitive students away from animals
 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
 Select washable stuffed toys and wash them
often in HOT water
 Cover pillows and mattresses in dust-proof
zipped covers
 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
 Wash mold off hard surfaces
 Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles
and carpet may need to be replaced
 Fix leaky plumbing and roofs
 Reduce condensation on cold surfaces such
as exterior walls by adding insulation
 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

 Look for signs of pests
 Do not leave food, water or garbage exposed
 Remove pest pathways and shelters
 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
 Minnesota law prohibits tobacco use in all
K-12 public schools
 Enforce smoking bans
Outdoor Environment
 Can
trigger asthma
 Outdoor air quality
 Ozone
 Particulate matter
 School
buses
Diesel emissions
State 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:
 Reduce unnecessary bus idling in front of schools
 Reroute bus parking zones away from air intake
vents, if possible

Actions include:
 Post “no idling” signs
 Maintain bus fleet
 Invest in cleaner fuels
 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:
 Certified (trained) IAQ Coordinator
 Walkthrough of all school buildings
 Evaluate specific building systems
 Written policies
» Correct existing problems
» Prevent future problems
» Respond to emergencies and concerns
 School board approval
Cleaning And Cleaning Products
 Remove spots and stains immediately using
manufacturer’s recommendations
 Keep the dirt out by using walk-off mats at
ALL entrances
 Use recommended amounts of products
 Avoid products with irritants, chemicals or
strong odors that may affect students and
staff
 Don’t mix cleaning products
Flooring
 No one floor covering works for all situations
 Maintenance is key
 Keep out dirt, use walk-off mats
 Regular vacuuming helps reduce allergens
 Carpet and Rug Institute “Green Label”
program for vacuum cleaners
 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/