Correlations Between Childhood Academic Performance and Indoor Air Quality

For most parents, the academic success of their children is crucial, in that it is the very foundation that a child’s future is built upon. It is because of this, that a child’s ability to attend school on a regular basis is extremely important to their overall academic performance. Many people are unaware of the importance the environment plays in a child’s ability to succeed academically. One factor that can substantially limit a child’s ability to thrive physically and academically is that of poor indoor air quality. It is important to understand the part that indoor air quality plays in our school systems and how to improve it.

There have been numerous case studies and physical evidence that have highlighted the affects of poor IAQ on the respiratory system, and how it contributes to the onset of asthma. “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, asthma is one of the leading causes of school absenteeism.” The evidence indicates that a child’s “overall performance decreases with illnesses or absences from school.” If a child is unable to attend classes or focus while at school, their grades will suffer because of this. Since many school professionals and parents are unaware of how detrimental poor IAQ can be to a child’s health and performance, they may attribute the child’s struggle to some other factor.

Infants and Indoor Air Pollution

For many new mothers, bringing a baby into the world can be an amazing, and yet terrifying, event. It can be scary due to the overwhelming amount of things that can threaten a child’s life in their first 6 months. The reason for this is that during this period of time a baby is growing and maturing very quickly. One of these parts of the body that is growing very rapidly at this time is the lungs. If you are living in a home with poor indoor air quality and have an infant, it can be very damaging to your child’s health. Records of infant mortality rates in the United States around 2005 indicate that respiratory distress in newborns is the 7th most common cause of death.

Poor indoor air quality as a result of Indoor Air Pollution has been rated one of the top five environmental dangers in regards to human health by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). This is especially the case for individuals with comprised immune systems like that of the elderly and, of course, small children. Poor Indoor Air Quality can be the result of several factors, often thanks to inadequate ventilation due to improper construction of buildings by making them air tight to achieve energy efficiency combined with chemical contaminants, also known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These can be emitted from several common household materials, such as paint or carpeting, resulting in poor IAQ . Some of the VOC’s include carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide and many others. With nitrogen dioxide for example, there have been studies conducted that have shown that exposure can cause bronchitis in asthmatic children. For developing lungs, the precursor to childhood asthma can be triggered by several factors, including poor indoor air quality. Finally, the biological contaminants that contribute to poor indoor air quality include: mold, bacteria, mildew, viruses and pollen. Moisture intrusion and stagnant water are the environments where these contaminants fester the easiest. All the above contaminants can cause poor IAQ, most of which cannot be detected by the naked eye.

Gambling Your Health: How Air Quality Inside Casinos Can Make You Sick

When it comes to entertainment, the last thing a person wants to worry about is the possible health risks associated with a given activity. However, it is important to understand the possible health risks associated with leisure activities so that they can either be avoided or decreased. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for example, “indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors,” and much of that time is spent involved in recreation. So it is necessary to understand the effects poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can have on an individual and how such conditions can be improved.

Biological contaminants are part of poor indoor air quality and can contribute to health issues in people who are exposed. Such contaminants can be an even bigger problem in a casino establishing due to the sheer number of people that are present at any given time. Particular individuals, especially the elderly or those who have an existing respiratory condition, are at a high risk of being affected by airborne contaminants. Thus, avoiding high levels of mold in the air is very important. Moisture intrusion is necessary for the growth of black mold. If a building, such as a casino, has existing leaks, the structure can become a prime location for toxic mold to fester. In this kind of situation, it is very important to keep the building properly maintained and to fix any leaks or water intrusion sites as soon as they happen. If mold spores are present and water is added, mold can begin to grow rapidly, even within 48 hours. Those who are affected by black mold exposure will expect to suffer from the following symptoms: scratchy or irritated throat, watery eyes, congested nasal passage, coughing, sneezing, bloody nose, flue-like symptoms, skin sensitivity and rash. Severe reactions can cause damage to the kidneys, immune system, central nervous system or brain, and can even result in death. Not only does water intrusion lead to mold growth, which can cause serious health problems, but mold can also destroy the structural integrity of the building resulting in increased repair costs.

Indoor Air Quality and Pollution Awareness

Many Americans are aware of the dangers of poor air quality from pollution in the outside world. Pollen counts and air quality index readings are reported alongside the temperature and humidity in daily weather forecasts. Warning labels and news stories have long alerted Americans to hazards found in tap water, consumer goods, and food products, some of the common means of ingesting potentially harmful biological and chemical compounds. However, surveys indicate that the general public does not share the same level of awareness with indoor air quality (IAQ). Although many Americans may feel as though the air they breathe when they are indoors is cleaner and safer than the air they breathe outside, research suggests that, in reality, the exact opposite is true. Generally speaking, indoor air contains much higher levels of toxins and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Chemicals from building products, harmful levels of mold, dust mites, indoor allergens, and other indoor pollutants all contribute to poor IAQ. Polluted indoor air is becoming increasingly damaging to the health of Americans, despite their unfamiliarity with the issue.

9 Common COPD Triggers and How to Avoid Them

Do you know about the many lung irritants that can set off COPD symptoms? Learn which culprits to avoid with this primer.

By Elizabeth Shimer Bowers

When you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), exposure to certain lung irritants can mean the difference between huffing and puffing and easier breathing. The biggest COPD trigger by far — both in terms of the onset of the condition and managing it down the road — is smoking. But beyond this obvious culprit, there are a number of other lung irritants that can trigger or worsen your COPD symptoms. Make avoiding them a top priority in your efforts to stay healthy with COPD.

Stay Away From Tobacco Smoke
As many as 90 percent of COPD cases are tied to smoking. So one of the best ways to prevent COPD in the first place, as well as keep it from getting worse, is to steer clear of cigarettes. “Smoking causes oxidative stress, which stimulates inflammation in the airways,” says Michael W. Sims, MD, an assistant professor and director of clinical research for the Penn Medicine Airways Biology Initiative in Philadelphia. These damaging effects cause COPD, and they also cause the condition to decline faster by increasing the risk for acute symptoms. And avoiding secondhand smoke is just as important as quitting smoking.

Beware of Indoor Air Pollution
The second most predominant trigger of COPD symptoms is combustible smoke, "such as breathing in smoke while cooking over an open wood fire, or heating your home with a kerosene heater that is poorly ventilated,” Dr. Sims says. According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 million people each year die from COPD that develops as a result of indoor air pollution. These lung irritants are primarily an issue for people in developing countries, but they should be avoided in general to help prevent COPD. To minimize indoor air pollution, avoid using a fireplace or wood-burning stove, and keep your air filters clean.

Take Steps to Avoid Bacterial and Viral Respiratory Infections
“Respiratory viruses, including influenza and pneumonia, are among the most concerning triggers of COPD symptoms,” says Heath Latham, MD, medical director of pulmonary rehabilitation at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City. “These viruses cause a breakdown in the lining of the airways, creating inflammation and increasing the risk of secondary bacterial infections.” For good COPD management, annual flu and pneumonia vaccines are essential. These vaccinations protect against the viruses that can worsen COPD and develop into a fatal infection. In addition to a yearly flu shot, you can avoid viruses and bacterial infections by following good hand-washing hygiene and steering clear of situations where you’re more likely to be exposed to illnesses.

Consider Outdoor Air Pollution
Although it’s important to stay as active as you can with COPD, you do need to be aware of what’s going on outdoors: Traditional city air pollution can trigger COPD symptoms. Of particular concern are the solid chunks of pollution that come from products of combustion, such as car and truck exhaust. “Some of the particles in city air pollution are so small that they can’t be seen with the eye, but can be breathed deep into the small airways, where they deposit and cause inflammation,” Sims says. Translation for daily COPD management: Stay inside on days when ozone exposure is high. Check your local paper for daily air quality reports, or download the Everyday Health COPD Tracker for weather information plus treatment and condition tips.

Keep Your Home Clear of Indoor Allergens
In addition to monitoring the air quality outside, you’ll need to keep your indoor environment as allergen-free as possible, too. “Dust and dust mites, especially for people who also have asthma, can worsen COPD symptoms,” says Luz Fonacier, MD, an allergist at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y., and a fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. To prevent COPD flare-ups at home, you may need to make changes to your surroundings. Dr. Fonacier recommends covering mattresses, box springs, and pillows with readily available dust mite-resistant covers, and washing sheets and pillowcases weekly in water that is at least 131 degrees Fahrenheit. To further prevent COPD symptoms, she also suggests removing dust-collecting décor, such as stuffed toys, from bedrooms, and replacing carpets with hard floors when practical.

Remember Your Seasonal Allergies
“Some studies show that people prone to allergies may have an increased risk of COPD in the first place, and COPD symptoms may worsen during allergy season,” Sims says. Expect COPD symptoms to get worse during the season you’re most prone to allergies, be it spring, summer, or fall. “Allergies may act as a lung irritant directly through allergic inflammation, or indirectly through allergic rhinitis and postnasal drip,” he says. “Postnasal drip may stimulate the nerves at the back of the nose, which can enhance cough and aggravate COPD symptoms.” For better COPD management, try antihistamines to help reduce allergic reactions and stay indoors when seasonal allergies strike. Talk to your doctor if you continue to experience allergy symptoms despite these efforts.

Stamp Out Strong Scents
Do you experience COPD symptoms around cleaning agents, air fresheners, diesel fumes, scented candles, paint fumes, and other products with strong odors? “If one of these items is a lung irritant for you, COPD symptoms such as chest tightness and shortness of breath will immediately set in,” Sims says. To better manage COPD, avoid any scents and fumes that cause symptoms for you.

Look Out for Weather Extremes
COPD symptoms often get worse when it’s very hot and humid or, for some, bitterly cold outside. You can’t control the weather, but you can create your home environment. “The majority of people with COPD have more symptoms in hot, humid conditions," Dr. Latham says. "For these people, the only way to prevent COPD symptoms is to stay in a cool, air-conditioned environment." For those whose COPD symptoms get worse in the cold, Latham suggests wearing a scarf over your face and breathing through your nose to warm and humidify the air when you’re outside.

Seek Relief for Psychological Stress
Stress can impair even your best efforts at COPD management by dampening the immune system and leaving you more vulnerable to infections that can worsen your symptoms. “Stress can also enhance the sensation of shortness of breath in people with COPD,” Sims says. He adds that former smokers are more likely to turn back to cigarettes when they’re stressed, further worsening COPD. Make stress relief part of your daily plan. Ask your family and friends for help when you need it, and consider joining a support group to talk to others with COPD

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