According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2005 6.5 million children under age 18 had asthma, an increase of more than 200% since 1980. About one in 11 school-aged children suffers from asthma, and the rate is rising more rapidly in preschool-aged children than in any other age group. Indoor air quality is a big culprit. In addition to dust mites, mold, pet dander, and secondhand smoke, air contaminants that may impact asthma include certain insecticides and chemicals in plastic, especially formaldehyde. (Read more.)

Learn more about asthma using the following resources:

• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
• National Library of Medicine
• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
• American Lung Association
• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
• Collaborative on Health and the Environment
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• Everyday Health's Asthma Hub

Learn about potential environmental links and ways to reduce your child’s risk here.