Exposure to certain pollutants in the womb increases asthma risk in children

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics reveal that there are 7.1 million children and 18.9 million adults in the United States who suffer from asthma. As such, medical professionals throughout the world are adamant about determining the causes of and treatments for this potentially fatal chronic respiratory disease.

According to Scientific American, researchers in Denmark recently discovered that children who are exposed to hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) — two persistent organic pollutants that have been banned for use since 1964 and 1977, respectively — are more likely to develop asthma by the time they're 20 years old.

"The blood of 872 Danish women was tested for persistent organic pollutants," states the source. "The offspring of women in the group with the highest concentrations of HCB and PCB-118 were about twice as likely to be on asthma medication between the ages of 6 and 20 as the offspring of women with the lowest concentrations. A weaker association was found for five other PCB compounds and asthma."

The most common way for humans to be exposed to HCB and PCB, which are still present in the environment in spite of being banned for use more than 30 years ago, is by eating fish.

If you suffer from asthma, it's important to see your doctor to find out which medications can improve your quality of life and reduce the risk of you having a serious attack. Additionally, you may want to consider investing in some of the asthma and allergy control products on the Allergy Be Gone website, such as hypoallergenic bedding and an asthma and allergen air purifier.