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Americans Lack Vital Asthma Info: EPA

May 4, 2005
Americans lack information about many things they can do to reduce asthma attacks, according to a survey by the Environmental Protection Agency. The survey found that fewer than 30 percent of people with asthma are taking simple steps to reduce exposure to asthma triggers that can set off attacks.

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Common triggers include secondhand smoke, cockroaches, dust mites, mold, and ozone. All can cause asthma in young children or set off asthma attacks.

"The more we know about controlling and avoiding asthma triggers, the more we can prevent asthma and asthma attacks," EPA Administrator Steve Johnson said. "That's why EPA is encouraging those with asthma to work with their physicians to identify their asthma triggers and to follow EPA's recommendations to reduce their exposure."

Of the approximately 20 million Americans with asthma, more than six million are children. The disease remains one of the leading causes of emergency room visits and school absenteeism for children.

Although there is no known cure for asthma, there are ways to reduce the number of attacks, including avoiding exposure to environmental asthma triggers at home, school and other places where children spend their time.

To educate parents of children with asthma, EPA, in partnership with the Ad Council, is releasing a new public awareness media campaign, describing simple steps parents can take to reduce asthma triggers commonly found in homes, daycares, and schools.

The new television, radio, newspaper and outdoor public service announcements (PSAs) are the third phase of the Childhood Asthma campaign, launched in March of 2001. The PSAs highlight sources of environmental asthma triggers and simple steps parents can take to reduce their children's exposure.

The new PSAs encourage parents to call 1-866-NOATTACKS or visit www.noattacks.org for more information on preventing asthma attacks. The PSAs are available in English and Spanish and will be distributed to media outlets nationwide.

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