Tagged With "indoor air quality"
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CERTIFIED Baby Mattress Creates a Healthier Environment for Infants With Asthma and Allergies
Pure Zees recently announced the expansion of its innovative asthma & allergy friendly® mattresses into the U.S. market, unveiling a new U.S. website to help roll out multiple related products through 2020. The Irish-based company has secured coveted certification for their signature infant mattress from both Allergy Standards Limited of Ireland (ASL) and The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).
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CERTIFIED Dusting Cloth Offers Better Control of Indoor Allergens in the Home
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) has announced that Guardsman® Dusting Cloths have earned asthma & allergy friendly® Certification.
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Clean Air, Sharp Minds Act Aims to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Schools to Improve Student Health and Learning
On Feb. 27, 2020, Senator Cory Booker and Representative Katherine Clark introduced the Clean Air, Sharp Minds Act. The proposed act would give schools a three-year grant to help them improve indoor air quality (IAQ) . The grant would allow schools in high pollution areas or that pose a severe health and safety threat to install commercial air filters. This program would be managed by the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These grants aim to: Improve the...
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Clean Economy Act Would Benefit Millions of People With Asthma and Allergies by Addressing Climate Crisis
U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, was joined by 32 Senators in introducing legislation that would put the United States on a path to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2050.
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Climate Change and Your Health
Extreme weather, wildfires and coastal flooding are some of the visible impacts of climate change happening today. But did you know that climate change can also affect your allergies and allergic asthma?
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Climate Change Takes a Toll on Asthma and Allergy Health
Climate change is a major issue for environmental health as well as public health. Warming temperatures contribute to longer and more severe pollen seasons. That makes respiratory diseases worse. So this week, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America joins nearly 20 other organizations in signing a statement called “A Declaration on Climate Change and Health.” The letter is being released at the start of National Public Health Week. It is also World Allergy Week, a week created by the...
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Creating an Asthma Management Plan in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the #4 Asthma Capital
When Joey was 4 years old, his parents took him to see an allergist. He was having trouble breathing and having challenges with his digestive system. They learned that Joey has asthma triggered by environmental and food allergies.
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Does Growing up on Amish Farms Protect Children Against Asthma?
Can the house dust of a rural farming community hold clues to protecting people from developing asthma ? Researchers from several universities studied 60 children ages 7-14 from two similar, but slightly different, farming communities. Thirty were Amish children. Thirty were Hutterite. These groups are similar in that they share a common ancestry and have remained relatively isolated in their communities after immigration to the United States. They share other factors known to have...
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Does Your School Stock Medicine for Asthma Emergencies?
Does your state allow schools to stock quick-relief medicines for asthma? Quick-relief medicines , such as albuterol, act fast to relax tight muscles around your airways. This allows the airways to open up so air can flow through them. Congress is considering a law to encourage states to permit these “ albuterol stocking ” school policies . The School-Based Asthma Management Programs Act builds upon a similar law that encourages states to require schools to stock epinephrine auto-injectors.
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Eliminate Allergy and Asthma Triggers From Schools to Support National Healthy Schools Day
Asthma is the main reason why children miss school. In fact, children in the U.S. miss about 13.8 million school days each year due to asthma. Missing school can affect many children's grades and well-being. Controlling asthma triggers at home can help reduce asthma symptoms. But what about at school? If kids are exposed to triggers at school, managing asthma at home will be a losing battle. Children are the most affected by air pollution and poor indoor air quality. The Asthma and Allergy...
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Emren and His Pig Can #TackleAsthma
We are pleased to announce that Emren and his mom Ashley are the third winners of our #TackleAsthma and #TackleAllergies photo contest ! Emren, who has asthma and food allergies, likes to carry his stuffed pig everywhere he goes. He also knows he must always carry his emergency medicines. So whenever he leaves the house, his pig and his emergency medicines go with him. Even though he’s only 3 years old, Emren leads by example. He reminds us all how important it is to always have your...
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EPA Works to Reduce Air Pollution in 32 States by Improving Older School Buses
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded more than $8.7 million to replace or retrofit 452 older diesel school buses. The funds are going to 141 school bus fleets in 32 states, each of which will receive rebates through EPA's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funding. The new and retrofitted buses will reduce pollutants that are linked to health problems such as asthma and lung damage.
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Erin Tackles Severe Asthma to Finish Graduate School and Become Decorated Athlete
Erin M is our first #TackleAsthma and #TackleAllergies photo contest winner. Her photo shows asthma doesn’t have keep you from sports and activities you love.
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Fact or Fiction: 5 Myths About Dust Mites
If you're reading this, there's a good chance you're one of the millions of Americans with a dust mite allergy. But how well do you know these microscopic creatures? Here's a look at some common misconceptions about dust mites and dust mite allergy.
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Family Removed from Plane After Boy’s Allergic Reaction to Dog
Be kind. Be nice.
That is the message that a father with terminal cancer gives when he and his family are removed from a plane after his young son has an allergic reaction to a dog.
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FDA Approves Cinqair to Treat Severe Asthma
FDA News Release FDA approves Cinqair to treat severe asthma For Immediate Release March 23, 2016 Inquiries Media Andrea Fischer 301-796-0393 Consumers 888-INFO-FDA Release The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Cinqair (reslizumab) for use with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of severe asthma in patients aged 18 years and older. Cinqair is approved for patients who have a history of severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) despite receiving their current...
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February Advocacy Update: Over-the-Counter Medicines, Restaurant Safety and Cleaner Cars
Welcome to your February advocacy update. I’m Jenna Riemenschneider, director of advocacy at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). I am pictured above with AAFA board member Renuka Babu Brown and Senator Ed Markey's (D-MA) policy advisor Adam Axler. Over-the-Counter Drug Access and Cleaner Cars Rollbacks AAFA and other members of the Healthy Choices Coalition met with Representative Judy Chu's office. We asked her to co-sponsor the Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2019...
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Fighting for Air in Detroit, Michigan, the #16 Asthma Capital
Shari Duncan has had asthma for more than three decades. In recent years it has become quite severe. Shari takes daily asthma maintenance medicines, does nebulizer breathing treatments and works hard to avoid her biggest asthma triggers. She also uses her quick-relief inhaler about once or twice a week. In spite of these efforts, four to six times a year Shari is hospitalized for asthma.
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Find Out If Your Home Is Asthma and Allergy Friendly With Our Healthy Home Assessment
June is National Healthy Homes Month. Your home can have a big impact on how well you manage your asthma and allergies. Reducing asthma triggers and allergens in your home should be an important part of your asthma and allergy management plan.
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First Grader with Severe Asthma Runs Marathon One Step at a Time
Luke Bilbo has severe asthma. But he also has a lot of determination. Enough determination to run a marathon. In Luke’s seven short years, he’s already been in the hospital more times than anyone can count. In kindergarten, he missed 54 days of school. When he did go to school, he had to wear a mask to protect him from germs and asthma triggers . He also had a spot on his lungs that only went away after a long treatment. The last thing his mother, Amanda Bilbo, thought he would do is run...
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Five Tips for Better Asthma and Allergy Health This Fall
The Coalition for Medicare Choices and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America created this Pocket Companion to help improve respiratory health.
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freshAAIR™ – a Digital Magazine for People With Asthma and Allergies
October is Indoor Air Quality Awareness Month. Indoor air quality is important for asthma and allergy control. We dedicated our current issue of freshAAIR™ Magazine to ways you can create a healthier home.
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GlaxoSmithKline Study Shows Nucala Improves Quality of Life, Lung Function in Severe Asthma
GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE/NYSE:GSK) today announced data demonstrating that severe asthma patients, whose disease is driven by eosinophilic inflammation, treated with first-in-class biologic Nucala® (mepolizumab) added-on to standard of care, achieved clinically and statistically significant improvements in their health-related quality of life and lung function, when compared to patients treated with placebo and standard of care. These results are from the phase IIIb MUSCA study (NCT02281318, 200
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Global Climate Change Is a Rapidly Growing Health Emergency
New research shows that climate change is already a significant public health issue and a looming global health emergency. Its findings, outlined in The Lancet medical journal, demonstrate the various ways climate change is already affecting the health of people across the planet, today.
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Groups Gather to Voice Concerns About Climate Change’s Impact on Health
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) joined Moms Clean Air Force on July 11, 2018, to raise awareness about the health impacts of climate change. The Play-In for Climate Action was held on the National Mall. Hundreds of parents and their children from across the U.S. participated in the event to draw attention to the harmful effects of air pollution . Studies show that air pollution can worsen asthma symptoms. Climate change also creates longer and heavier pollen seasons. A...
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Healthier Home Initiative Addresses Philadelphia’s Asthma Crisis
The asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program partnered with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to help 30 families in the region improve their indoor home environment.
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Help Others See Beyond Asthma and Allergies During National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
Each May since 1984, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has declared May to be National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to teaching others about asthma and allergies to create more awareness and understanding. We also want to help people see beyond asthma and allergies. This year, we aim to do just that through our themes, “More Than Asthma” and “More Than Food Allergies.”
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Her Health Comes First: One Mother Talks About the Challenges of Managing Her Child's Asthma
Asthma can be scary and overwhelming. It is the leading chronic disease in children and the top reason for missed school days due to chronic illness. I’m sure if you’ve been touched by this disease, you might empathize with this experience from LaJoy and her daughter, Abria.
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High Heat, Air Pollution, Air Quality Create Problems for People with Asthma
When we think of summer, we usually think of outdoor fun like swimming, cookouts, sporting events and going to the park. But with summer also comes a combination of heat and smog that can create bad air quality. Heat, air pollution and ragweed pollen create problems in the fall too. Since we spend more time outside in these warmer months, these combinations can be hard on your airways.
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Honor Student Holds Concert to Raise Awareness for Asthma and Allergies
As a lifetime patient of both asthma and allergies, I am all too familiar with the late night ambulance trips to the emergency room because of an asthma attack or the rude interruption of a peanut or tree nut in my body at a classy restaurant. Such unfortunate circumstances are a constant fear in my life—just like they are for many others with asthma and severe allergies. Though my asthma has improved since I was a young child (I am now a passionate long distance runner—still running with my...
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House Representatives Introduce Resolution to Have May Declared National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
To mark World Asthma Day, Representatives Eliot L. Engel (NY-16) and Fred Upton (MI-6) have introduced a bipartisan House Resolution designating the month of May as “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.”
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How Do You Track Air Quality for Better Asthma Management?
It should come as no surprise that the quality of the air we breathe affects our lungs. According to several studies, air pollution can make asthma symptoms worse. It’s also linked to higher asthma-related emergency room visits among senior adults and higher asthma rates in children.
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How Does Rain Affect Pollen Levels?
Long, hot days are great for outdoor activities, but pollen can threaten to keep you indoors if you have pollen allergies and allergic asthma. They may leave you longing for a rain shower to wash the pollen away. But rain causes plant growth, producing more pollen, right? So is rain good for those with allergies or not?
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Our Clean Air Crisis
The air we breathe is one of the greatest threats to our respiratory health. Millions of people worldwide die prematurely each year from air pollution. Air pollution affects children the most. Evidence links air pollution to preterm births, underdeveloped lungs, reduced lung function and asthma. In the U.S., of the 25 million who have asthma, 10 die every day.
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Play-In for Climate Action to Bring Attention to the Negative Effects of Poor Air Quality
On July 11, 2018, moms and their children will host the fifth annual Play-In for Climate Action. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) will join Moms Clean Air Force on the U.S. Capital Grounds in Washington, D.C., to support action against climate change. The family-friendly event will have kids’ activities, music and speakers.
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Preparing for Natural Disasters When You Have Asthma
If you have asthma, natural disasters could affect your health in unexpected ways. Chronic medical conditions like asthma can become worse when wildfires, tornadoes, severe flooding or earthquakes occur. Asthma flare-ups during a disaster can happen because of: Allergens in the air (pollen, mold, etc.) Irritants in the air (dust, smoke) Losing access to your treatments due to evacuation Strong emotions (fear, anxiety) Now is a good time to create a disaster planning kit with your asthma in...
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Protect-A-Bed Partners with AAFA for National Allergy Campaign
In a joint effort to educate consumers about bedroom allergies and allergen-reduction solutions, Protect-A-Bed and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) have partnered on a national campaign to raise awareness of household allergens.
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Protect Yourself from Allergens and Asthma Triggers During Hurricane Recovery
Even though hurricane season is coming to a close, the people affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma are still actively cleaning up and rebuilding. If you are in the affected areas and have asthma and allergies, be extra careful during this time. There are many things to consider as you remove debris, clean up flood damage and make repairs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers tips on managing your asthma before, during and after a hurricane or tropical storm . This...
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Protect Yourself From Dust Mites With Asthma and Allergy Friendly Pillows and Pillow Covers
When you lay your head on your pillow at night, all you want to think about is comfort – not millions of dust mites. And if you have a dust mite allergy, having all those microscopic insects near your head can make you uncomfortable by triggering allergy and asthma symptoms. You can create a healthier sleeping environment by using pillows that are CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly®. Or you can cover your existing pillow in a CERTIFIED pillow cover.
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Rashad Jennings and AAFA Help Kids Tackle Asthma
"An asthma attack feels like your world is about to end. If you’ve ever been swimming, it’s like when you’re underwater and you need to come up to get some air, but you don’t know when you’re going to be able to get it" - Rashad Jennings
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Rolling Back Clean Car Standards Will Make Asthma Worse – Tell the NHTSA and EPA Why
Our current clean car standards have gone a long way to improve our air quality. But pollution and ozone levels are still an issue, contributing to climate change, asthma symptoms and overall asthma rates. Studies are showing more and more how bad air pollution affects our health . More improvements are needed. But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) want to roll back these clean car standards through The Safer Affordable...
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Schools and States Can Improve Indoor Air Quality for Students With Asthma and Allergies
As part of our 2019 State Honor Roll™ of Asthma and Allergy Policies for Schools (SHR), we look at the impact poor indoor air quality in schools can have on students with asthma and allergies.
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September/October Asthma and Allergy Advocacy Update: Passenger Rights on Planes, Protections in Schools and Access to OTC Medicines
Welcome to our first monthly advocacy update. My name is Jenna Riemenschneider, Director of Advocacy at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). I'm pictured above with Mark Vieth, Senior Vice President at Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis Associates, at a meeting with Airlines for America.
Through this monthly blog series, I will update you on our advocacy efforts. We have already had a busy fall. This first post will include our September and October activity.
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Share a Selfie for a Chance to Make Your Home More Asthma and Allergy Friendly
Announcing the 2018 Certification sweepstakes! Upload a picture or a selfie of the CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® Mark on a product or service on the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program's Facebook page for a chance to win.
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Share Your Stories About Animals on Planes and How They Affect People With Asthma and Allergies
Has the increase in pets on planes made travel difficult for you or family members with asthma or allergies? Have you had to change travel plans or leave a plane because of animals on your flight? Have you had an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction on a flight because of sharing a cabin with animals? If so, we encourage you to share your story with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). They are asking for public comments on pets on planes.
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Smart Gardening: Tips for an Allergy-Friendly Garden
If you have asthma or allergies, you don’t have to decorate your yard with stones and concrete. There are many plants you can use in your home garden that won’t affect your allergies. You can choose from several flowers, shrubs, trees and more.
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Sneezing and Sniffling: How to Tell If It's Allergies or a Cold
It can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between allergies and a common cold. Both allergies and cold viruses tend to become widespread at certain times of the year, which is why you may mistake a cold for seasonal allergies. Allergies and viral infections can cause rhinitis . The word rhinitis means “inflammation of the nose.” The nose produces fluid called mucus. This fluid is normally thin and clear. It helps to keep dust, debris and allergens out of the lungs. Mucus traps...
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Spring Cleaning for an Asthma and Allergy Friendly Home
Give your home a spring cleaning with asthma and allergies in mind. Use this checklist to reduce allergens and triggers in each room of your home. CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® products can help you improve the air quality in your home.
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Study Shows a Difference Between the Effects of Controlled Burns vs. Wildfires
Controlled burns are often used to help reduce and contain wildfires, but it turns out which burn is occurring can actually have an effect on your health, according to research presented at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).
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10 Health and Medical Groups Oppose EPA's Harmful Clean Power Plan 'Replacement' Proposal
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America is sharing this press release to bring you the latest research news quickly. [PRESS RELEASE] Ten Health and Medical Groups Oppose EPA's Harmful Clean Power Plan 'Replacement' Proposal (August 22, 2018) - WASHINGTON, D.C. In response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) release of the proposed Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule to replace the Clean Power Plan, the Allergy & Asthma Network, the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy...