Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to site content

Environmental Triggers of Asthma
Appendix 1: Asthma Triggers Exposure History

Course: WB 2490
CE Original Date: November 28, 2014
CE Renewal Date: November 28, 2016
CE Expiration Date: November 28, 2018
en Español
Download Printer-Friendly version Adobe PDF file [PDF - 637 KB]

Previous Section Next Section

Introduction

Adapted from The National Environmental Education and Training Foundation. Environmental Management Of Pediatric Asthma Guidelines. http://www.neefusa.org/health/asthma/asthmaguidelines.htm, 2005 Aug.

It is very important to ask about all environments in which a child with asthma may be spending significant amounts of time, including all residences where the child sleeps or spends time, such as the home of a relative, schools, daycare, camp, and college dorms (for 17 - 18 year olds). Ask the questions in the box first. Ask additional questions if indicated.

Dust Mites

Have you noticed whether dust exposure makes your child's asthma worse?

Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]

Have you used any means for dust mite control? Which ones?____

Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]

Additional Questions:

  • Do you know that dust exposure can trigger asthma symptoms?_____
  • Do you live in a house or an apartment? __________
  • If you live in a house, how old is it? __________
  • What type of floor coverings are in your house? _______________________________________
  • Is there carpet in your child's bedroom? __________
  • Do you have a HEPA vacuum cleaner? __________
  • Have you tried anything to decrease dust mite exposure?__________________________
  • Have you ever heard of putting special coverings on a pillow or mattress to decrease dust mite exposure? __________
  • Are you currently using a mattress or pillow covering on your child's bed? __________
  • How often do you wash your child's bed linens? __________
  • Do you wash them in hot, warm, or cold water? __________
  • Are there stuffed animals in your child's room/bed? __________
  • Do you use other ways to decrease dust mite exposure? __________

Animal Allergens

Do you have any furry pets?

Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]

Have you seen rats or mice in the home?

Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]

Additional Questions:

  • What type of furry pet(s) do you have? (and how many of each) ___________________________________________________
  • Is it a
    • strictly indoor pet? __________
    • outdoor? __________
    • indoor/outdoor? __________
  • How often do you wash your pet? __________
  • How long have you had your pet (s)? __________________________
  • Has your child's asthma become worse since having the pet? _______
  • Has your child's asthma become better since moving the pet outside? ________________________________________________________
  • Have you noticed any rodents indoors or outside your home (rats, mice)?
    Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]

Cockroach Allergen

Have you seen cockroaches in your home on a regular basis? (i.e., weekly or daily)

Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]

Additional Questions:

  • Approximately how many cockroaches do you see in your home per day? __________
  • Do you see evidence of cockroach droppings?
    Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]
  • How do you get rid of the cockroaches? ____________________

Mold/Mildew

Do you see or smell mold/mildew in your home?

Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]

Is there evidence of water damage in your home?

Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]

Do you use a humidifier or swamp cooler?

Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]

Additional Questions:

  • Where do you see mold growth in your home?
    Attic ____________ Garage _________
    Basement _________ Laundry room _________
    Bathroom ________ Other _________
    Bedroom __________
  • How large an area is the mold growth? _________________________
  • Do you have problems with moisture or leaks in your home?
    Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]
  • Do you frequently have condensation on your windows?
    Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]
  • Do you have either of the following in your home:
    • Humidifier? __________
    • Evaporative-type air conditioner ("swamp cooler")? __________
  • How often is it cleaned? ___________________________
  • Have you tried using something to decrease the humidity in your home? _________________________________________

Environmental Tobacco Smoke

Do any family members smoke?

Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]

Does this person(s) have an interest or desire to quit?

Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]

Does your child/teenager smoke?

Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]
  • How many cigarettes per day? ______
  • Does he/she (they) smoke in the house? ______
    Outside? _____ Both inside and outside? ______ In the car?

Additional Questions:

  • Do you have a smoking ban in the household?_______________
  • Does anyone smoke in daycare or other childcare setting where the child stays? ______
  • Does anyone who spends time at your house smoke? (friends, neighbors, relatives?) __________
  • Describe the circumstances when your child may be exposed to smoke?_________________

Air Pollution

Have you had new carpets, paint, or other changes made to your house in the past year?

Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]

Does your child or another family member have a hobby that uses toxic materials?

Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]

Has outdoor air pollution ever worsened your child's asthma?

Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]

Does your child play outdoors when an Air Quality Alert (i.e., ozone, particulate) is issued?

Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]

Do you use a wood burning fireplace or stove?

Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]

Do you use unvented appliances such as a gas stove for heating your home?

Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]

Additional Questions:


Indoor Air Pollution Questions
  • Does anyone in your house use strong-smelling perfumes, scented candles, hairsprays, or other aerosol substances? __________
  • Do you live in a home that was built in the past 1-2 years?
    Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]
  • If you recently made changes to your house-installed new carpets, painted, or other changes - how long ago was that? ___________________
  • Was there a change in your child's asthma symptoms after moving to a new house or having the work mentioned above done in your home?
    Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]
  • Do you ever notice a chemical type smell in your home?
    Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]
  • If you have a wood burning fireplace or stove, how many times per month in the winter do you use it? __________
  • Do you use an unvented appliance such as a gas stove for heating your home?
Outdoor Air Pollution Questions
  • Do you live within a half mile of a major roadway or highway?
    Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]
  • An area where trucks or other vehicles idle?
    Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]
  • A major industry with smokestacks?
    Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]
  • Is residential or agricultural burning a problem where you live?
    Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]
Previous Section Next Section
 
USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDepartment of Health and Human Services
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30341
Contact CDC: 800-232-4636 / TTY: 888-232-6348

A-Z Index

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
  6. F
  7. G
  8. H
  9. I
  10. J
  11. K
  12. L
  13. M
  14. N
  15. O
  16. P
  17. Q
  18. R
  19. S
  20. T
  21. U
  22. V
  23. W
  24. X
  25. Y
  26. Z
  27. #