Asthma/Hypersensitivity:

According to the U.S. EPA website, over 50 million Americans suffer from asthma, allergies and hayfever. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema increased by greater than 85 percent between 1970 and 1987. Close to 100,000 Americans die each year because of complications due to chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Over 50 percent of U.S. schools have poor ventilation and significant sources of pollution in buildings where an estimated 55 million students and school staff members are affected by poor air quality. Health effects are predominantly observed in children with asthma. In the last 15 years, a 60 percent increase in the incidence of asthma has occurred amongst school-aged children. Today approximately 8 percent of all school-aged children have been diagnosed with asthma.

North Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors. Therefore, indoor allergens and irritants can play a significant role in triggering asthma attacks. It is important to recognize potential asthma triggers in the indoor environment and reduce your exposure to those triggers.

According to the Canadian Lung Association, 20% of Canadians have some sort of lung disease — such as asthma, emphysema, or lung cancer. If we include people with allergies and sensitivities, up to a third of Canadians may be affected by contaminants. For some people — the environmentally hypersensitive - low levels of contaminants in the air can cause debilitating illness.

For further information on indoor contaminants, including four of the more significant Pollutants, click on the "Key Pollutants" button to the left.

For more detailed information about Asthma/Hypersensitivity and Indoor Air Quality, check:
Indoor Environmental Asthma Triggers (EPA website - Indoor Air Quality)
What You Can Do About Your House to Help with Asthma (CMHC website)
Housing and the Environmentally Hypersensitive (CMHC website - Healthy Housing)