Asthma Friendly Classroom
Childhood asthma is a complex disease. Asthma has numerous environmental triggers that can exacerbate a child's asthma. This Online publication will provide school staff with tips on how to "Create an Asthma Friendly Classroom" providing brief suggestions on keeping the classroom clean and clutter free, fragrance free, maintaining proper air quality and decreasing exposure to common allergens. The contents were adapted from material by the American Lung Associations' Asthma Friendly Schools Initiative Tool Kit-Healthy Air Walk through Classroom Checklist and the Boston Public Schools Promoting Healthy School Buildings. This Online Publication was made available by funding through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Prevention Wellness Trust Fund grant.
Childhood asthma is a complex disease. Asthma has numerous environmental triggers that can exacerbate a child's asthma. This Online publication will provide school staff with tips on how to "Create an Asthma Friendly Classroom" providing brief suggestions on keeping the classroom clean and clutter free, fragrance free, maintaining proper air quality and decreasing exposure to common allergens. The contents were adapted from material by the American Lung Associations' Asthma Friendly Schools Initiative Tool Kit-Healthy Air Walk through Classroom Checklist and the Boston Public Schools Promoting Healthy School Buildings. This Online Publication was made available by funding through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Prevention Wellness Trust Fund grant.
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CREATING<br />
AN ASTHMA<br />
FRIENDLY<br />
CLASSROOM<br />
TIPS FOR<br />
SCHOOL<br />
STAFF
11<br />
CHECK<br />
THE AIR<br />
3 WHAT IS ASTHMA? EXPOSURE<br />
4<br />
5<br />
COMMON ALLERGENS<br />
AND IRRITANTS FOUND<br />
IN THE CLASSROOM<br />
KEEP IT CLEAN<br />
AND CLUTTER FREE<br />
11<br />
12<br />
MAKE SURE AIR<br />
IS FREE AND FLOWING<br />
CLASSROOM TIPS<br />
OUTSIDE AIR CAN AFFECT<br />
YOUR INDOOR AIR<br />
CLASSROOM TIPS<br />
TABLE OF<br />
CONTENT<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
8<br />
ELIMINATE FOOD STORAGE<br />
IN THE CLASSROM<br />
CLASSROOM TIPS<br />
REDUCE CLASSROOM CLUTTER<br />
CLASSROOM TIPS<br />
IDENTIFY AREAS<br />
OF MOISTURE AND MOLD<br />
CLASSROOM TIPS<br />
13<br />
13<br />
14<br />
IDENTIFY AND REDUCE<br />
EXPOSURES TO ALLERGENS<br />
REMOVE CLASSROOM PETS<br />
CLASSROOM TIPS<br />
UNDERSTAND OTHER POSSIBLE<br />
ASTHMA TRIGGERS SUCH AS<br />
CHANGES IN WEATHER/<br />
TEMPERATURE:<br />
CLASSROOM TIPS<br />
9<br />
9<br />
10<br />
MAKE IT<br />
FRAGANCE FREE<br />
AVOID PRODUCTS<br />
THAT HAVE SCENTS<br />
CLASSROOM TIPS<br />
AVOID CHEMICALS<br />
CLASSROOM TIPS<br />
15<br />
16<br />
TO VIRUSES OR ILLNESS<br />
CLASSROOM TIPS<br />
CHANGES IN EMOTION<br />
CLASSROOM TIPS
WHAT IS<br />
ASTHMA?<br />
1 Chronic lung disease where the airways are “inflamed”<br />
2 These inflamed airways are sensitive and react to things called “triggers”<br />
3<br />
When exposed to “triggers”, the airways of a person with asthma become<br />
narrower, allowing less air to get in and out of the lungs<br />
4 “Triggers” can be allergens, irritants or indoor air pollutants<br />
5<br />
<strong>Asthma</strong> affects each person differently<br />
EXPOSURES/<br />
ALLERGENS<br />
CHECK THE AIR<br />
FRAGANCE FREE<br />
CLEAN AND<br />
CLUTTER FREE<br />
WHAT IS<br />
ASTHMA?
COMMON ALLERGENS AND IRRITANTS<br />
FOUND IN THE CLASSROOM:<br />
CHALK<br />
DUST<br />
DRY ERASE<br />
MARKERS<br />
PAINT AND<br />
GLUES<br />
STRONG ODORS, SUCH<br />
AS PERFUMES OR ROOM<br />
DEODORIZERS<br />
CHEMICALS FROM SCIENCE<br />
OR ART PROJECTS<br />
UPHOLSTERED<br />
FURNITURE<br />
RUGS, MATS, NAP PADS<br />
AND/OR BLANKETS<br />
CLASSROOM PETS OR VISITING<br />
FURRY ANIMALS
KEEP IT<br />
CLEAN<br />
AND<br />
CLUTTER<br />
FREE<br />
TRIGGER: Food, food spills<br />
and trash can attract rodents,<br />
cockroaches, and other pests.<br />
The droppings of these pests<br />
can “trigger” an asthma<br />
exacerbation.<br />
E<br />
CLEAN AND<br />
CLUTTER FREE
CLASSROOM TIPS:<br />
IF YOU MUST<br />
HAVE FOOD IN<br />
THE CLASSROOM,<br />
STORE FOOD<br />
IN CONTAINERS<br />
WITH A TIGHT LID<br />
CREATE A<br />
“CRUMB AND<br />
SPILL-FREE<br />
CLASSROOM”<br />
BY DEVELOPING<br />
AN EATING AND<br />
CLEANING PLAN<br />
CLEAN SPILLS<br />
AND CRUMBS BY<br />
THE END OF THE<br />
SCHOOL DAY<br />
HAVE A<br />
DESIGNATED<br />
“COVERED”<br />
TRASH CAN FOR<br />
FOOD GARBAGE
CLASSROOM TIPS:<br />
KEEP IT<br />
CLEAN<br />
AND<br />
CLUTTER<br />
FREE<br />
INVOLVE YOUR<br />
STUDENTS IN<br />
ACTIVITIES<br />
SUCH AS<br />
CLEAN-<br />
UPS OR<br />
RECYCLING<br />
TO DECREASE<br />
CLUTTER<br />
MAKE SURE<br />
CLASSROOM<br />
SURFACES ARE<br />
VACUUMED<br />
OR DUSTED<br />
REGULARLY<br />
TRIGGER: Stacked paper,<br />
old projects and/or trinkets in the<br />
classroom invite dust. Dust mites<br />
are microscopic creatures that<br />
live in dust and all types of fabric.<br />
Dust mites are a very common<br />
“trigger” for those who have<br />
asthma.<br />
LIMIT THE USE OF<br />
BROOMS, AS THIS<br />
WILL AGITATE DUST<br />
INTO THE AIR<br />
REMOVE OBJECTS<br />
SUCH AS STUFFED<br />
ANIMALS, PILLOWS,<br />
AREA RUGS OR<br />
UPHOLSTERED<br />
FURNITURE
KEEP IT CLEAN<br />
AND CLUTTER FREE<br />
TRIGGER: Mold can<br />
grow from wet areas<br />
within 48 hours if not<br />
dried. The particles from<br />
mold can be dangerous<br />
and is a known “trigger”<br />
for asthma.<br />
CLASSROOM TIPS:<br />
LOOK AT YOUR<br />
CEILING, WALLS,<br />
WINDOWS AND<br />
UNDER CLASSROOM<br />
SINKS FOR WATER<br />
DAMAGE OR MOLD<br />
REPORT<br />
WET AREAS<br />
IMMEDIATELY TO<br />
YOUR SCHOOL<br />
CUSTODIAN<br />
BE AWARE<br />
THAT PLANTS<br />
HAVE SPORES<br />
AND THEIR<br />
SOIL CAN<br />
BREED MOLD.
MAKE IT<br />
FRAGRANCE<br />
FREE<br />
TRIGGER: Strong smelling products such as perfumes, air fresheners, deodorants and/or other personal<br />
care products can “trigger” asthma symptoms or cause an allergic reaction. Other classroom products<br />
such as white board makers, wipes or crayons may have scents as well.<br />
CLASSROOM TIPS:<br />
BE AWARE OF<br />
THE PRODUCTS<br />
YOU USE IN YOUR<br />
CLASSROOM<br />
PAY ATTENTION<br />
TO PERSONAL<br />
CARE PRODUCTS<br />
AND SCENTS THAT<br />
YOU MAY USE OR<br />
CIGARETTE SMOKE<br />
ON CLOTHING<br />
ELIMINATE<br />
SCENTED<br />
PRODUCTS OR<br />
USE PRODUCTS<br />
WITH LOW-ODOR<br />
FRAGANCE FREE
Make it<br />
fragrance<br />
free<br />
Trigger: Many cleaning<br />
products have strong smelling<br />
chemicals that can irritate the<br />
airways of the lungs. Some<br />
products are bleach, ammonia,<br />
cleaning wipes, and/or antimicrobial<br />
sprays.<br />
ClaSSroom Tips:<br />
If you must use<br />
a product with<br />
a strong odor,<br />
this should be<br />
done when NO<br />
students are in the<br />
claSSroom.<br />
Use LPS approved<br />
cleaning products<br />
Remove or properly<br />
dispose of any<br />
cleaning products<br />
that could be a<br />
poSSible irritant<br />
Use asthma-friendly<br />
products<br />
Contact your<br />
school’s custodian<br />
for a list of<br />
approved cleaners
CHECK<br />
THE AIR<br />
TRIGGER: When air is unable to move freely throughout the classroom, irritants or allergens can become<br />
trapped in the classroom. Temperature can affect asthma; classrooms should be at 72-76 degrees F.<br />
CLASSROOM TIPS:<br />
DO NOT CLOSE<br />
OR COVER VENTS,<br />
THIS AFFECTS<br />
AIRFLOW<br />
TO OTHER<br />
CLASSROOMS<br />
CHECK ALL VENTS<br />
TO SEE THAT<br />
THEY ARE OPEN,<br />
FREE OF CLUTTER<br />
AND DUST<br />
REPORT ANY<br />
DIRTY OR NOISY<br />
VENTS TO<br />
YOUR SCHOOL<br />
CUSTODIAN<br />
CHECK THE AIR F
CHECK<br />
THE AIR<br />
TRIGGER: Exhaust from<br />
idling automobiles, people<br />
smoking, or other outdoor<br />
air pollutants such as pollen<br />
and/or smog can be pulled<br />
into the inside air by intake<br />
vents or open windows.<br />
These outdoor irritants or<br />
allergens can “trigger” an<br />
asthma exacerbation.<br />
ENFORCE THE LPS NO<br />
IDLING POLICY<br />
CLASSROOM TIPS:<br />
ENFORCE THE LPS<br />
SMOKE-FREE POLICY<br />
KEEP WINDOWS CLOSED<br />
IF OUTSIDE IRRITANTS<br />
OR ALLERGENS ARE<br />
PRESENT
IDENTIFY<br />
AND REDUCE<br />
EXPOSURES<br />
TO ALLERGENS<br />
TRIGGER: Animals with fur or feathers have dander (animal skin or hair) which is a significant allergic<br />
asthma triggers<br />
CLASSROOM TIPS:<br />
INVEST IN<br />
ASTHMA<br />
FRIENDLY<br />
CLASSROOM PETS<br />
SUCH AS FISH<br />
IF YOU HAVE<br />
ANIMALS AT YOUR<br />
HOUSE BE AWARE<br />
OF TRANSFER INTO<br />
YOUR CLOTHING<br />
AVOID PETS WITH<br />
FUR OR FEATHERS<br />
BE AWARE OF THOSE<br />
STUDENTS SENSITIVE<br />
TO PETS WITH FUR OR<br />
FEATHER FOR SUCH<br />
EVENTS AS FIELD<br />
TRIPS OR SCHOOL<br />
ASSEMBLIES, SPEAK<br />
WITH THE SCHOOL<br />
NURSE FOR A PLAN<br />
EXPOSURES/<br />
ALLERGENS
IDENTIFY<br />
AND REDUCE<br />
EXPOSURES TO<br />
ALLERGENS<br />
UNDERSTAND OTHER<br />
POSSIBLE ASTHMA<br />
TRIGGERS SUCH AS<br />
CHANGES IN WEATHER/<br />
TEMPERATURE:<br />
TRIGGER: Air temperature changes of 10 degrees (cold<br />
or heat) can affect asthma<br />
CLASSROOM TIPS:<br />
BE AWARE OF<br />
CHANGING<br />
FROM HEATED<br />
TO COLD AREAS<br />
ENCOURAGE<br />
STUDENTS<br />
TO DRESS<br />
APPROPRIATELY<br />
FOR THE<br />
WEATHER,<br />
ESPECIALLY THE<br />
USE OF SCARVES<br />
WHEN IT IS COLD<br />
OUT
EXPOSURE<br />
TRIGGER: Illness or viruses that affect the airways such as a cold or the flu<br />
can significantly affect students with asthma.<br />
CLASSROOM TIPS:<br />
ENCOURAGE PROPER COUGHING<br />
GET THE FLU<br />
VACCINE<br />
ENCOURAGE<br />
PROPER HAND<br />
HYGIENE<br />
TALK TO YOUR<br />
SCHOOL NURSE<br />
ON WAYS TO<br />
DECREASE<br />
EXPOSURE TO<br />
ILLNESS/VIRUSES
CHANGES<br />
IN EMOTION<br />
TRIGGER: Emotional reactions such as<br />
crying, laughter, excitement and/or stress<br />
can be a possible trigger of asthma.<br />
CLASSROOM TIPS:<br />
BE AWARE<br />
OF THOSE<br />
STUDENTS<br />
WITH<br />
ASTHMA<br />
ENCOURAGE<br />
STRESS REDUCING<br />
ACTIVITIES<br />
SUCH AS DEEP<br />
BREATHING OR<br />
MEDITATION
Adapted from American Lung Associations’ <strong>Asthma</strong> <strong>Friendly</strong> Schools Initiative Tool Kit-Healthy Air Walkthrough<br />
<strong>Classroom</strong> Checklist and Boston Public Schools Promoting Healthy School Buildings
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