AsthmaUSEPA-EnvironmentalProtectionAgency.PDFVIP

United States Environmental Protection Agency A S T H M A H O M E E N V I R O N M E N T 5C H E C K L I S T ome visits provide an opportunity to educate and equip asthma patients with the tools to effectively manage their Hdisease in concert with a physician’s care. This checklist—designed for home care visitors—provides a list of questions and action steps to assist in the identification and mitigation of environmental asthma triggers commonly found in and around the home. The checklist is organized into three sections—building information, home interior and room interior. The room interior is further subdivided by categories (such as bedding and sleeping arrangements, flooring, window treatments, and moisture control). This will allow the home care visitor to focus on the specific activities or things in a room—in particular the asthma patient’s sleeping area—that might produce or harbor environmental triggers. The activities recommended in this checklist are generally simple and low cost. Information on outdoor air pollution follows the checklist. The last page includes information on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) resources and an area for the home care visitor to record a home visit summary. If the patient’s sensitivities to allergens (such as dust mites, pests, warm-blooded pets and mold) and irritants (such as secondhand smoke and nitrogen dioxide) are known, the home care visitor should begin by focusing on relevant areas. This checklist covers the following allergens and irritants, which are commonly found in homes. Information is also provided on chemical irritants—found in some scented and unscented consumer products—which may worsen asthma symptoms. Dust Mites Mold Triggers: Body parts and droppings