It is important to be aware of the triggers that may affect children and youth with asthma.
Asthma triggers such as pests, strong smells, pets, and mould—should be eliminated wherever possible. While other triggers, like physical activity, need to be managed rather than avoided.
Overall Strategies to Reduce or Eliminate Exposure
Individuals supervising children/youth activities and programs, should review each child/youth’s Plan of Care or Asthma Management Plan to identify triggers and strategies to manage, reduce, or eliminate asthma triggers. Based on this information, individuals supervising children/youth activities and programs should:
- avoid exposing participants to asthma triggers;
- communicate with families (child/youth/parent/guardian) to let them know when an activity may involve exposure to a trigger of a participant and discuss strategies to avoid or lessen the exposure;
- plan an alternative activity that everyone can participate in when exposure cannot be avoided; and
- inform parent/guardian when the participant’s asthma is being triggered by an exposure.
Note: It is important to remember that new asthma triggers are often identified, and exposures previously tolerated may produce a new trigger for asthma.
Specific Strategies to Reduce or Eliminate Exposure
Air Pollution
Strategies to reduce exposure:
- Check the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) and forecasts.
- Modify plans for outdoor physical activity if the AQHI is between four and ten for those with asthma or between seven and ten for the general population.
- Move the location of the physical activity/exercise to well-ventilated indoor sites on poor air quality days.
- Keep windows closed.
- Use air purifiers when indoors.
Extremes in Weather (includes extremes in temperatures, humidity, and wind)
Strategies to reduce exposure:
Modify plans for physical activity during extreme weather conditions.
- Move the location of the physical activity/exercise inside (when indoor conditions are appropriate).
- Reduce the intensity during extreme heat and humidity
House Dust Mites
Strategies to reduce exposure:
- Remove carpets, stuffed chairs, upholstered furniture and pillows.
- Limit or remove stuffed animals.
- Frequently damp-dust and vacuum daily (use a vacuum with a High Efficiency Particulate Air [HEPA] filter).
- Vacuuming should occur after participants have left for the day.
Mould (including both indoor and outdoor mould commonly found in decaying leaves and fresh-cut grass)
Strategies to reduce exposure:
- Keep indoor humidity less than 50 percent. Humidity can be measured by a hygrometer, available at hardware stores. Dehumidifiers and air conditioners help to reduce humidity levels.
- Report leaks and water damaged material to environmental services.
- Remove water damaged materials (carpet, underpad, ceiling tile, etc.). Repair leaks and promote air circulation.
- Aquariums and humidifiers require regular cleaning and are not encouraged because of the possibility of mould growing in and around them.
- For additional strategies related to indoor air quality, consult Health Canada’s Indoor Air Quality: Tools for Schools Action Kit for Canadian Schools.
Pests (for example, mice, rats, cockroaches)
Strategies to reduce exposure:
- Clean up all food particles.
- Follow integrated pest management system guidelines.
Pets/Animals
Strategies to reduce exposure:
- Animals should not live in the classroom or be brought to school.
- Use non-upholstered furniture to limit the amount of pet dander and animal hair that gets transferred from clothing to furniture.
Pollen
Strategies to reduce exposure:
- Keep windows closed on high pollen days.
- Avoid physical activity when grass was just cut
- Monitor pollen counts on your local weather station or go to https://www.theweathernetwork.ca.
Strong Smells and Chemicals (for example, art supplies, cleaning products, scented products)
Strategies to reduce exposure:
Consider creating low-scent policies that focus on prioritizing the use of no- to low-scent products, including school supplies, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene products such as perfumes, colognes, and hand lotions.
