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Megan Sandel, Department of Pediatrics, Bostom Medical Center, 91 E. Concord Street, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02118, 617-414-3680, megan_sandel@bmc.org
Evidence is accumulating on the role of substandard housing in exposing low-income children to toxics, irritants, allergens, and gases that can cause disease. Mold, mildew, and pests (such as cockroaches and rodents) can cause asthma, the leading cause of absences from elementary school. Carbon monoxide poisoning from combustion appliances, such as stoves, furnaces, and gas heaters, claims several hundred lives each year in the U.S. and causes flu-like symptoms at lower levels in thousands of other cases. Lead-based paint in older housing is the primary cause of childhood lead poisoning, which reduces children’s intelligence, interferes with learning, and causes behavior problems. Health care providers, government officials, property owners, and consumers all need to realize the importance of decent housing to good health. Children who live in homes that are well ventilated, dry, and free of pests, poisons, and dangerous gases will be healthier and able to live fuller lives. In particular, the current preoccupation with drug therapies for asthma needs to shift to give much greater emphasis to reducing children’s exposure to asthma triggers and sensitizers in the home environment. Public health can be improved by focusing on primary prevention strategies that would identify and correct health hazards before children are harmed.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Environmental Health Hazards, Healthy Buildings
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.