New studies are providing more evidence that poor indoor air quality can be just as bad for asthma sufferers as polluted outdoor air.  Substances such as cigarette smoke and pet dander, as well as the level of humidity can promote asthma or asthma-like symptoms in humans—especially small children.  It is important to try and keep your indoor environment as clean as possible and little things such as only smoking outside, dusting and vacuuming regularly, and choosing pets that are less prone to things like shedding can make a difference in comfort levels.

Unfortunately, scientists still do not know why some people develop asthma and some don’t.  Whether is a genetic disposition or an environmental problem, scientists do know that the number of asthma suffers is rising.  More studies are necessary to find conclusive causes of asthma.  However, from studies that have already been performed there is strong evidence that controlling indoor humidity below 50%, avoiding pets (or at least choosing them wisely), and minimizing chemical pollutants such as cigarette smoke can greatly reduce the amount of asthma symptoms in people.