Asthma is now the most common chronic childhood disease, occurring in approximately 54 of every 1000 children (21). From 1980 through 1996, childhood asthma increased dramatically, by approximately 5% per year (14, 16, 26). The etiology of asthma is complex and multifactorial; risk factors include genetic predisposition as well as exposure to environmental and infectious triggers. Environmental triggers within the home include allergens from mold, dust mites, cockroaches, and pets (60, 61, 65, 69, 83, 90, 91, 101, 105); indoor air pollutants such as tobacco smoke (42, 66, 102); volatile organic compounds (104); and combustion by-products (51,70,.
