Are Chicago’s Urban Youth at a Higher Risk of Developing Asthma?

April 5, 2011 - PRLog -- Earlier this year, HealthDay News reported on a European study that found that children who grow up on farms are less likely to develop childhood asthma.  According to the article, “Kids Growing Up on Farms Less Likely to Have Asthma”, the risk of developing this condition was reduced by as much as 51%.  The article stated, “…researchers suspect that it's the diversity of exposure to different microbes that may offer protection against the airway disease.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports, “Asthma is a disease that affects your lungs. It causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. Asthma can be controlled by taking medicine and avoiding the triggers that can cause an attack. You must also remove the triggers in your environment that can make your asthma worse.”

If additional research confirms the findings from the European study then children in urban environments, such as Chicago, appear to be at greater risk of developing childhood asthma.  There are however a number of steps to help reduce asthma triggers found in homes and schools to help prevent these asthmatic attacks.  

“Reducing exposure to common indoor asthma triggers such as tobacco smoke, dust mites, mold, cockroaches and household pets can all help,” reported Ed Chambers, President of EC2, a Chicago based environmental consulting firm.  “The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) states that 60 million people in the United States suffer from allergies and asthma. The AAFA calculates that the cost to the United States for asthma, not including allergies, is $18 billion dollars a year.  This is a huge problem in Chicago and across the nation.  Having a home, school or other building tested for these asthma triggers is the first step in reducing the frequency of this potentially deadly condition from appearing,” he continued.

To help educate the public about one of the common asthma triggers, mold, EC2 has helped sponsor a public outreach video on the topic.  The video can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOdDfaYp9uE.



To learn more about asthma triggers, mold, IAQ and other environmental testing services please visit http://www.4ec2inc.com, email info@4ec2inc.com or call (815) 703-9000.

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About EC2, Inc.
EC2 is a leading provider of environmental consulting and inspection services for clients across the United States. Based in the Chicago area, the company provides their services to clients ranging from local companies and institutions to international Fortune 500 corporations.