Asthma

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Asthma Program
health.asthma@state.mn.us

Asthma and the Home Environment

Children, teens, and adults now spend up to 90% of their time indoors, and at least 50% of that time is spent in their home. Because of the large amount of time spent indoors, the home environment is an important focus for reducing exposures to triggers of asthma. Triggers of asthma found in the home include allergens such as pet dander, mold, or pests as well as irritants such as scented cleaning products and second hand smoke.

Reducing asthma triggers in the home is linked to improvements in asthma outcomes such as reduced hospitalizations and emergency department visits for children who have asthma. Interventions that address as many triggers as possible in the home (multi-trigger) are effective in reducing asthma symptoms in children. Current studies suggest that adults with asthma or other respiratory illnesses, can be helped by reducing triggers of asthma in the home.

An environmental assessment or visual walk-through of a home can help identify triggers of asthma so that steps can be taken to reduce or eliminate those specific triggers.  Asthma home-based services (AHBS) includes an environmental assessment for triggers in the home in addition to providing individualized asthma self-management education. Self-management education teaches a person who has asthma how to manage their disease effectively. If you are not eligible for AHBS, you-- the homeowner, renter, or other person -- can do a walkthrough to identify triggers of asthma in your home. Checklists are available in the resource section of this webpage.

Healthy Housing

Whether you own or rent your home, living in a “healthy” home is important. We know that housing conditions can greatly affect the health of people living in those homes. The scientific evidence on the many links between housing and health continues to grow, and this evidence can be used to guide "primary preventive" measures related to housing construction, renovation, and use and maintenance, which in turn can promote better overall health (Housing and Health, World Health Organization).

While there are many factors that go into creating a healthy home, some factors can impact whether or not a home is “asthma friendly” or contributes to the health of a person living with asthma.  A “healthy home” is created by the building itself as well as the behaviors of the people living in that home. 

Healthy homes for healthy families 

Follow the eight tips for keeping a healthy home:

  • Dry
    Moisture in homes can contribute to the growth of mold, mildew, and other micro-organisms. It also can provide water for pests such as cockroaches, mice, and rats. Dust mites thrive in damp, humid environments. 
  • Clean
    Keeping your home clean can reduce the number and types of irritants and allergens that the person with asthma is exposed to. A clean home can reduce allergens carried on dust. Additional benefits include that you are more likely to notice if you have a pest problem, and air fresheners, which can be an irritant to people with asthma, should not be used.
  • Pest-free
    People can have allergies to pests such as cockroaches, mice and rats. US Environmental Protection Agency provides more information on how to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Principles to help keep pests away.  
  • Contaminant-free
    There are many contaminants such as pollutants and chemicals found in our homes.  The best way to avoid these unwanted contaminants is to not bring them in the house in the first place. Smoking should not be allowed in your home.
  • Well-ventilated
    Ventilation means that air can move freely in your home. Good ventilation can help to remove contaminants from your home and help keep moisture levels down to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Use your bath and kitchen fans when activities that create moisture such as showering or cooking create moisture. If you have furnace filters, use a good quality, pleated filter and change the filter as needed. Additional information on air filters is available from the EPA. 
  • Well-maintained
    A well-maintained home means that you make sure repairs are made whenever they are needed. By keeping your home well-maintained, you will reduce your risk of having water damage or moisture intrusion problems and it may also help to prevent entry of pests into your home.  
  • Safe
    See the MDH Healthy Homes website for additional information on keeping a healthy home and reducing the risk of hazards like radon, lead, carbon monoxide and chemicals
  • Thermally Controlled 
    Houses that do not maintain consistent temperatures may place the safety of residents at increased risk from exposure to extreme cold or heat. 

Gas Stoves in Residential Homes 

Many Minnesotans use natural gas stoves for cooking. Across the United States, over one third of households use gas for cooking in the home. Gas stoves emit methane, a greenhouse gas that causes changes in climate with consequential effects to the environment and human health. 

Learn more: 

Weatherization and Health

Home Walk-Through

Even if you think that you have a asthma-friendly home, it can be helpful to do a home walk-through to make sure you have reduced or eliminated as many asthma triggers as possible. Because we are used to our own homes, we sometimes don’t think about all the potential asthma triggers that may be present, unless we go through our home with a checklist. 

Do a walk-through yourself. Start by looking at spaces where you spend the majority of time, like your living room and bedroom to identify possible  triggers. The MDH has developed a model to provide Asthma Home-based Services. If you own your home, you can take steps to make changes to make it healthier. If you rent, you may be able to make some changes to improve it, but other changes may require a conversation with your landlord. See the “Resources for Renters” section below to assist you when you need cooperation from a landlord.

Resources to Support a Home Walk-Through 

Asthma triggers 

This information sheet identifies asthma triggers and what a person with asthma can do to reduce those triggers.

Check-lists 

Resources for Homeowners

  • Minnesota Department of Health’s Healthy Homes program 
    Learn more about creating a healthy home. This website contains information on factors that may impact creation of a healthy home including information about asbestos, carbon monoxide, mold and moisture control, pest control, and radon.
  • Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota
    Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates housing to provide decent, affordable housing for people in need. In addition, they operate “Habitat ReStores” where low-cost quality used and surplus building materials may be available.
  • Sustainable Resources Center
    Sustainable Resources Center located in Minneapolis, Minnesota is dedicated to creating healthy and energy efficient home environments n partnership with families and communities. Their programs include weatherization, lead hazard education and control, healthy homes education and remediation and training.

Resources for Renters and Landlords

If you currently live in multi-family housing or rent your home and are having issues with repairs, these resources can help:

  • Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities (PDF) A consumer handbook from the Minnesota Attorney General’s office.  It explains the rights and duties that apply to landlords and tenants in Minnesota. 
  • HOME Line provides free and low-cost confidential legal and advocacy services to tenants and offers trainings to landlord groups throughout Minnesota. The hotline service is available in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong where you can receive confidential help from a housing attorney. They have an extensive list of Housing Resources, and form letters that can be used if repairs are not being made in a timely manner. They offer additional resources such as a book titled, “How to be the Smartest Renter on Your Block.” 

National Resources  

Additional national resources around asthma in the home environment.

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Last Updated: 08/20/2024