Asthma triggers in the elementary school environment: a pilot study.
Asthma, a major cause of school absenteeism, can be triggered by allergens and irritants in the child's environment. A new measurement tool, the Environmental Observation Checklist (EOC), was developed and piloted for qualitative assessment of indoor asthma triggers (allergens and irritants), adequacy of ventilation, and existing environmental control practices. Seventy-five classrooms in 20 schools from two large urban school districts in Texas were surveyed using the EOC. A Q-TRAK Air Quality Monitor was used to assess indoor carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity, concurrently. The EOC appears to be a useful screening tool for identifying schools in need of intervention.
Dautel
P J
PJ
Independent Living Research Utilization, A Program of The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, Houston, Texas 77019, USA. pdautel@ilru.org
Whitehead
L
L
Tortolero
S
S
Abramson
S
S
Sockrider
M M
MM
D000393:Air Pollutants; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007509:Irritants; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012574:Schools; D014691:Ventilation
D000393:Air Pollutants; D000485:Allergens; D007509:Irritants