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Help for Asthmatics at Environmental Health Festival

Release Date: 5/13/2005
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     To help observe Asthma Awareness Month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will host an Environmental Health Festival May 14 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for asthmatics and their families. The event will provide information about environmental hazards, the basics of asthma and techniques for controlling asthma.

     "Asthma has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, affecting about 20 million people of all ages and races, particularly children. Yet, there are simple actions families can take that provide substantial health benefits," EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene said.  "Asthma Awareness Month is a great opportunity to increase public knowledge of asthma, its triggers, and how to manage asthma's effects."

     The festival will provide children fun activities to learn how asthma affects them, how to identify the warning signs of asthma, and how to put asthma triggers on the run.  For adults, the festival will include information in English and Spanish, exhibits, interactive displays, games, and an "Ask the Expert" roundtable where parents can get answers to their questions about asthma.

     Asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease, affecting 6.3 million children, especially those raised in low-income families.  Although there is no cure for asthma yet, asthma can be controlled through medical treatment and management of environmental triggers.  These can include secondhand smoke, mold, dust mites and other insects, pets and nitrogen dioxide (a by-product of indoor fuel-burning appliances).

     The festival will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2005, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th Street NW.  For more information about EPA's asthma program, visit https://www.epa.gov/iaq/asthma/index.html.  An audio clip is available at https://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/radio.htm.