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Minimize indoor triggers of asthma

Respiratory Care Weekly, May 10, 2006

RTs knew for years that nitrogen oxide-waste gas thrown off by natural gas appliances that don't have outdoor exhaust-as well as house dust can trigger asthma in children and adults. According to the May Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, researchers showed in a study of 174 children that the symptoms worsen when the exposure is higher. For both indoor air pollutants, higher exposure levels were linked to increased asthma symptoms such as nighttime chest tightness and breathing difficulties even when the exposure happened during the day at school.

"In light of the strong evidence that the extent of health effects is dose dependent, exposure [to indoor air pollutants] should be minimized," Monika Nitschke, Ph.D., of University of Adelaide, Australia, and colleagues conclude in the study.

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