Texas Indoor Air Quality Consultants Help Identify Asthma Triggers in Homes, Schools and Offices

In the United States, asthma affects approximately 25 million people, including 7 million children according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in 2010, asthma caused 14.2 million visits to physician offices and the following year resulted in 3,345 deaths.
 
Asthma can be controlled by taking medicine and avoiding the triggers that can cause an attack. People are advised to identify and remove triggers from their environment that can make their asthma worse.  Common asthma triggers include:
 
·         Mold - Breathing mold can trigger an asthma attack. Homes and buildings with high humidity levels or that have suffered from water damage may contain high levels of mold.
·         Dust Mites - Dust mites are tiny bugs that are found in most homes. To prevent an asthma attack, frequently wash bedding on the hottest water setting.
·         Cockroaches – These insects and their droppings can trigger an asthma attack. Eliminate cockroaches in the home by removing as many water and food sources as possible.
·         Pets - Furry pets can trigger an asthma attack.  Keep pets out of bedrooms, bathe pets each week when possible and vacuum regularly.
·         Smoke – Exposure to smoke can trigger asthma.
·         Outdoor Pollution - Outdoor air pollution from factories, vehicles and other sources can trigger an asthma attack.
·         Other Triggers - Infections linked to influenza, colds and respiratory viruses can trigger an asthma attack. Sinus infections, allergies, breathing in certain chemicals and acid reflux are also potential triggers. Even physical exercise; some medicines; bad weather; breathing in cold, dry air; and some foods, food additives and fragrances can act as an asthma trigger.
 
“For those who suffer from asthma, knowing what is in their indoor environment and the air they breathe is essential for controlling the condition,” said Hollis L. Horner, President, Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc.  “At IEC, our indoor air quality experts are regularly called upon to test all types of buildings in Texas and across the Gulf Coast for potential asthma triggers.  This information can then be used to eliminate or dramatically reduce these triggers and help prevent debilitating and even deadly asthma attacks.”
 
To learn more about IEC’s environmental asthma trigger testing services or other indoor air quality consulting services, please visit www.iecinc.net, email ncancino@iecinc.net or call (877) 432-8378.
 
About Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc.
IEC began operations in 2001 with some of the nation’s most seasoned professional indoor air quality consultants who already had over 70 years of combined experience.  The indoor environmental quality firm specializes in field investigations and assessments of commercial, institutional and residential buildings.  Their services, related to fungal (mold), chemical, bacterial, asbestos and particulate pollutants, are offered throughout Texas, the Gulf Coast and the Southwest. IEC is licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services as a mold assessment company (ACO0114) and an asbestos consultant agency (100329).

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail