The asthma epidemic - Letters To The Editor

I was gratified to see the article, "How Black Parents Are Dealing With The Asthma Epidemic" (Dec. 2002), which alerted parents to the many causes of childhood asthma. Few people realize the alarming rate at which our children ate the developing sometimes-debilitating disease. Even fewer realize that asthma is linked to cockroach allergens.

A number of studies have recently linked cockroach allergens to elevated rates of asthma among inner-city residents. Unfortunately, some low-income housing attracts more than its fair share of pests. Because minorities are disproportionately concentrated in poorly maintained housing, they suffer the most from health problems caused by pests.

But people should take comfort in knowing that pests can be kept out of homes by taking some simple steps--setting traps, keeping food under cover, washing dirty dishes promptly, sealing up cracks and holes, keeping floors clean and applying pesticides when needed. A combination of steps is usually required.

It's up to us to create a clean, safe environment for our children. By taking these simple steps to keep pests out of our homes, we can all breathe easier.

KEVIN MARCHMAN
Executive Director, National
Organization of
African Americans in Housing
Washington, D.C.

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