@BOOK{NAP9610, author = "Institute of Medicine", title = "Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures", isbn = "978-0-309-06496-5", doi = "10.17226/9610", abstract = "Since about 1980, asthma prevalence and asthma-related hospitalizations and deaths have increased substantially, especially among children. Of particular concern is the high mortality rate among African Americans with asthma.\nRecent studies have suggested that indoor exposures\u2014to dust mites, cockroaches, mold, pet dander, tobacco smoke, and other biological and chemical pollutants\u2014may influence the disease course of asthma. To ensure an appropriate response, public health and education officials have sought a science-based assessment of asthma and its relationship to indoor air exposures.\nClearing the Air meets this need. This book examines how indoor pollutants contribute to asthma\u2014its causation, prevalence, triggering, and severity. The committee discusses asthma among the general population and in sensitive subpopulations including children, low-income individuals, and urban residents. Based on the most current findings, the book also evaluates the scientific basis for mitigating the effects of indoor air pollutants implicated in asthma. The committee identifies priorities for public health policy, public education outreach, preventive intervention, and further research.", url = "https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/9610/clearing-the-air-asthma-and-indoor-air-exposures", year = 2000, publisher = "The National Academies Press", address = "Washington, DC" }