It’s Asthma Awareness Month
Asthma is a serious, sometimes life-threatening chronic respiratory disease that affects nearly 25 million Americans, including four million children. May is recognized annually as Asthma Awareness Month to raise awareness about the detection, prevention, and treatment of this life-long health condition. Asthma is not curable, but it is treatable – with proper care, people with asthma can lead a healthy, productive, fully active life. NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety Department would like to provide you with the best ways to identify, prevent, and treat asthma in your home and when participating in outdoor activities.
What are asthma symptoms?
Asthma often causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing at night or early in the morning. For asthma sufferers, an attack is very common when something happens in the body’s airways, the path that carries air to the lungs. During an asthma attack, the sides of the airways in the lungs swell and the airways shrink.
How to confirm an asthma condition?
See a doctor if you (or a family member) are experiencing wheezing, breathlessness, or chest tightness; if a cold lasts more than 10 days; or if breathing problems occur after physical activity. The doctor may ask if there’s a family history of asthma, and might perform a breathing (spirometry) test to determine how well the lungs are working. Your doctor will work with you to prevent asthma attacks by:
- Understanding asthma triggers
- Identifying asthma triggers in your home
- Talking about ways to get rid of triggers in your home
- Finding out what medicine(s) to take
Common asthma triggers
- Dust mites
- Air pollution
- Cockroaches
- Furry pets
- Mold
- Cleaning supplies
- Flu and respiratory Infections
When you experience difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, chest discomfort, or a burning feeling in the lungs, these are all signs of a potential asthma attack. Air pollution can make asthma symptoms worse and trigger attacks. Two air pollutants can affect asthma: ozone, which is found in smog, and particle pollution, which is found in haze, smoke, and dust.
Monitor air pollution in your community by checking the Air Quality Index at Airnow.gov. You can also learn about health risks from outdoor air pollution (and know when it’s healthy and safe for outdoor activities) via radio and TV weather reports.
The Smoke-Free NYCHA initiative aims to create healthier homes for residents and healthier working environments for employees by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and providing support to residents and employees who smoke and want to quit. For more information and resources, contact Smoke-Free NYCHA by email at smoke-free@nycha.nyc.gov or via phone at (212) 306-8282.
Pest proof your home to reduce asthma triggers
| Keep Your Home Clean and Dry, Especially the Kitchen | Keep food in sealed containers Keep counters and sinks free of food residue Don’t leave pet food out overnight Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink Reduce clutter Keep your surroundings clean and organized |
| Manage Trash | Use garbage cans with tight-fitting lids Rinse recyclables before putting them in recycling bins Take garbage and recycling out of your apartment every day Tie up garbage bags before putting them in the trash chute |
| Report Water Leaks, Holes, and Pests to NYCHA | Report the presence of pests by calling the CCC at 718-707-7771 or using MyNYCHA (www.nyc.gov/MyNYCHA). The sooner you inform NYCHA, the sooner we can manage the problem. Do not treat your own apartment. Even if there is a wait for an exterminator to come to your home, be patient and avoid purchasing over-the-counter pesticides. By reporting pests and allowing an inspection, we can identify trends in buildings. |
Additional resources, including upcoming webinars
The NYC Health Department is hosting a webinar for World Asthma Day (May 6); register here:
The American Lung Association’s New York State Children’s Asthma Initiative is hosting several webinars in May to share valuable information on asthma control and treatment; register here: Webinars – New York State Childrens Asthma Initiative
Additional asthma awareness resources:
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Asthma Triggers Fact Sheet
- NYC Health Department
If you are experiencing a mold or pest issue, please create a work ticket by calling the Customer Contact Center (CCC) at 718-707-7771, using MyNYCHA (nyc.gov/MyNYCHA), or contacting your property management office.
If you have questions about this or any environmental health and safety matter, please email ehs@nycha.nyc.gov. Residents, employees, and any member of the public can submit environmental health and safety concerns at on.nyc.gov/submit-concern.
Have general questions and ideas for resident health programming? If so, email health.initiatives@nycha.nyc.gov or call 212-306-8282.