Child asthma related to common pests in school
Issue date: 10/18/09 Section: Student Life
Sometimes, pesticides are simply the most practical solution to reduce the risk of injury or illness related to pest infestations, and the control of cockroaches is generally one such case. The presence of cockroaches has been shown to cause significant health problems, especially for young children, and cockroach populations are extremely difficult to manage without the right tools for the job.
In 2005, the National Institute of Environmental Health Science, a federal agency funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, published a report identifying cockroach allergens as the primary contributor to childhood asthma in inner-city homes. These allergens - which include roach saliva, fecal matter, secretions, cast skins and dead bodies - were found to foster the development and onset of childhood asthma.
"Cockroaches are a difficult pest to fight without the proper use of pesticides," James explained. "When there are several people in a relatively small space, any contact with roach allergens and bacteria is going to affect more people. That kind of situation arises frequently in homes and also in schools when you get 20 or more kids in the same room for several hours each day. In that type of environment, any kind of exposure to roaches and other causes is going to get magnified."
According to data from the American Lung Association, asthma is the leading serious chronic illness among children under the age of 18 in the United States, affecting approximately 6.8 million children nationwide. Reducing exposure to known allergens is the best way to prevent asthma development and asthma attacks, and prevention starts with the elimination of unnecessary allergens in places where children are going to be for hours on end, like schools and classrooms.
While most of the national conversation might be centered on protecting children from the H1N1 flu virus, the new bug in town is not the only one worthy of attention. With the constant risks of asthma and other pest-related health threats, schools need to carefully consider what pest control tactics make the most sense for their specific situation. Having all of the tools available is the first step toward implementing a successful pest control program that provides the best possible protection each day for children at school - both inside and outside of the classroom.
Courtesy of ARAcontentz
In 2005, the National Institute of Environmental Health Science, a federal agency funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, published a report identifying cockroach allergens as the primary contributor to childhood asthma in inner-city homes. These allergens - which include roach saliva, fecal matter, secretions, cast skins and dead bodies - were found to foster the development and onset of childhood asthma.
"Cockroaches are a difficult pest to fight without the proper use of pesticides," James explained. "When there are several people in a relatively small space, any contact with roach allergens and bacteria is going to affect more people. That kind of situation arises frequently in homes and also in schools when you get 20 or more kids in the same room for several hours each day. In that type of environment, any kind of exposure to roaches and other causes is going to get magnified."
According to data from the American Lung Association, asthma is the leading serious chronic illness among children under the age of 18 in the United States, affecting approximately 6.8 million children nationwide. Reducing exposure to known allergens is the best way to prevent asthma development and asthma attacks, and prevention starts with the elimination of unnecessary allergens in places where children are going to be for hours on end, like schools and classrooms.
While most of the national conversation might be centered on protecting children from the H1N1 flu virus, the new bug in town is not the only one worthy of attention. With the constant risks of asthma and other pest-related health threats, schools need to carefully consider what pest control tactics make the most sense for their specific situation. Having all of the tools available is the first step toward implementing a successful pest control program that provides the best possible protection each day for children at school - both inside and outside of the classroom.
Courtesy of ARAcontentz
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