Asthma worse in schoolchildren - Research Paper Example

Asthma Worse in Schoolchildren Introduction: One of the most chronic illnesses that affect children is asthma. Records in the United States reflect that almost around 5 million children who are less than 18 years of age, in the country are affected by the disease. As a result of the disease, children suffers difficulty in breathing, coughing, experiencing shortness of breath, chest tightness, and fatigue (Clay, 2004, pp.9-10). The present study overviews how asthma in schoolchildren is worsened from fungal spores in classrooms, affecting schoolchildren.

Asthma in Schoolchildren Worsened by Fungal Spores in Classrooms: Research and studies have revealed that the conditions of asthma in schoolchildren tend to get worsened with the increase in fungal spores present in air. A survey of schoolchildren in Taiwan had revealed that owing to fungal spores in classrooms, the rate of the disease has increased from 6 percent to 11 percent. Hence it is understood that schoolchildren are faced with significant environmental challenges that impact their health and cause asthma to deteriorate (Asthma worse in schoolchildren with more fungal spores in the classroom, 2014).

In general, buildings that are not maintained properly and lack proper systems of ventilation tend to allow mold to thrive in. as a result the quality of indoor air within the buildings get affected severely. Spores of mold are known to drift down through classrooms, if school buildings are considered from tiles of the ceilings. Consequently, health hazards for schoolchildren arise, of which the impacts of asthma are significantly concerning as the condition gets worsened owing to such fungal spores (Dykiel, Hobbs and Roberson, 2009, p.140). There are certain schools that have evaluation systems for their various facilities.

From such evaluations, it has been obtained that shortcomings in the facilities of a school buildings result in problems related to mold and their spores. This can be associated with larger problems associated with the buildings such as poor oversight in relation to the construction of the buildings, lack of planning for handling situations of crisis, and so on (Dykiel, Hobbs and Roberson, 2009, p.140). The presence of fungi is possible anywhere if oxygen and moisture are available. In buildings, the growth of the fungi increases when excessive accumulation of moisture occurs in the buildings, and the problem persists or increases if the issue remains unattended.

Different studies have similar views that reflect on the fact that airborne fungal spores act as allergens causing severe impacts of asthma. However some studies are not sure of the major effects on schoolchildren in regard to fungal spores in school buildings (McLeod, 2008, pp.9-11). However from the above findings, it can be realized that fungal spores cause diseases such as asthma and worsens the conditions as well in case where they are allowed to develop and spread across the buildings. Hence it can be understood and implied that in school buildings that allow retention of too much of moisture can allow airborne fungal spores, which in turn can affect schoolchildren with asthma diseases, worsening their conditions even more.

Conclusion: While further research is essential in order to come to an exact conclusion on the worsened impacts of fungal spores in school buildings resulting in severe asthma conditions in schoolchildren, but from the findings of this study, it could be well obtained that too much accumulation of moisture in buildings and lack of maintenance result in airborne fungal spores that can worsen the conditions of asthma in individuals, which can be understood to be schoolchildren, in such cases being reflected in school buildings.

ReferencesAsthma worse in schoolchildren with more fungal spores in the classroom (2014). Gaffi. [Online]. Retrieved on 9 September 2014 from: http://www.gaffi.org/asthma-worse-in-schoolchildren-with-more-fungal-spores-in-the-classroom/ Clay, D. (2004). Helping Schoolchildren with Chronic Health Conditions: A Practical Guide. New York City: Guilford Press. Dykiel, T., Hobbs, C. and W.E. Roberson (2009) A Guide to Leading and Managing Indiana School Facilities. Indiana: AuthorHouse. McLeod, J.D. (2008).

Evaluation of Indoor Air Quality Parameters and Airborne Fungal Spore Concentrations by Season and Type of HVAC System in a School Building. Michigan: ProQuest.