Asthma and Indoor Air Quality Issues

Plaza E

While lead dust is generally considered the #1 environmental threat to children’s health, it is not alone.  Our past use of other toxic chemicals such as mercury and asbestos leave us similar legacy that must be managed.  “Naturally” occurring toxics such as radon, mold and pests continue to raise questions about the integrity and maintenance of new and old housing alike.  Research is nearing a conclusion that our increasing asthma rate is related to indoor air quality including mold, dust mites, and cockroaches.  Mold in particular is posing problems in newer homes where particular virulent strains have resulted in the evacuation of several homes in Indiana. 

This session will explore these indoor air quality issues.  The participants will get a general understanding of the threats and how to effectively respond to them.  They will understand the role of moisture as it decays wood, feeds pests, promote mold, allows asbestos to be released, and deteriorates lead-based paint. 

Moderator:     Tami Johnson – Indiana Department of Environmental Management.  Ms. Johnson is the manager of IDEM’s children environmental health program.  In this role, she coordinates IDEM’s asthma committee as well as its efforts to address environmental threats in childcare facilities and schools.   

Speakers:         Robin Costley – Asthma Alliance of Marion County:  Ms. Costley is with the Marion County Health Department.  She leads the Asthma Alliance of Marion County.  She will explain how the respiratory system works and how asthma can be debilitating, especially to children.  

                        Lisa Cauldwell - Marion County Health Department:  Ms. Cauldwell is Indiana’s expert on indoor air quality and exposure to mold.  She is often called upon to research homes, schools and child care facilities where indoor air quality issues come up.  She will explain her experiences and her approach to the problems posed by indoor air quality.  She will provide practical advice to reducing sources of indoor air quality problems including what to do and what not to do.