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Rural
Barn- Mold, Pollen, Dust & Pets
A barn can have many asthma triggers. Barns are usually dusty, damp and house farm animals. Dust contains animal dander, pollen and mold spores. Often older barns have roof leaks causing standing water, dampness and mold growth. A type of bacterial mold called endotoxin that causes asthma symptoms is commonly found in both grains and animal waste.
- Avoid barns if mold, pollen, dust or animal dander triggers your asthma.
- If you must spend time in barns, use a HEPA filter face mask respirator. These masks can be found at your local hardware store.
- Avoid the barn when hay is loaded into the barn.
- Clean animal stalls often and remove animal waste daily.
- Inspect the roof for leaks and repair damaged areas.
Silo – Mold & Pollen
Endotoxins grow on grains kept in silos for long periods.
- People with asthma should avoid silos and other structures that store large amounts of grains, especially when grains are loaded or unloaded
Tractor- Air Pollution
Heavy farm machinery normally uses diesel fuel. Diesel exhaust releases nitrogen dioxide and fine particles, creating air pollution. Diesel exhaust can affect asthma.
- Avoid operating heavy farm machinery for long periods, if diesel exhaust bothers your asthma.
- Use a HEPA filter face mask respirator. These masks can be found at your local hardware store.
Crop Fields- Pollen, Dust & Pesticides
Farming crop fields produce large dust clouds that can affect asthma. These dust clouds contain pollen and pesticides. Crop dusting and mist blower methods of applying pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides) can cause asthma symptoms, especially in windy conditions.
- Do not spray pesticides in windy conditions to prevent accidental spray drift onto homes, parks and school playgrounds.
- If dust or pesticides irritate your asthma, limit outdoor activities when crop fields are being plowed, harvested or when pesticides are applied. Stay indoors and use air conditioners or other air cleaning devices when possible.
- Limit outdoor activities when pollen counts are high. Stay indoors and use air conditioners or other air cleaning devices when available.
- Check daily weather reports or the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology website for Daily Pollen & Mold Counts for pollen count.
Burn Barrel- Air Pollution & Smoke
Smoke from backyard burn barrels makes air pollution. Burning trash is illegal in Indiana. The smoke, toxins and fine particles that are released from burning trash are harmful and can cause someone with asthma to have an attack. Burning leaves and other yard waste can also be harmful to people with lung diseases.
- Do not burn trash and report illegal trash burning to the local authorities.
- Do not burn yard waste. Try composting yard waste. The compost will make a natural fertilizer for gardening.