'Build Smart, Breathe Easier' Houses with Asthma-Healthy Features Dedicated in Philadelphia and Los Angeles

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Two of four Habitat for Humanity houses built as part of the Build Smart, Breathe Easier national asthma education program were dedicated this past week. In Philadelphia, the house built in partnership with the Johnson family was dedicated on Saturday, November 12; and in Los Angeles, the house built in partnership with the Partida family was dedicated on Tuesday, November 15. Merck, Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and HGTV's Carter Oosterhouse hosted ceremonies, at which each family received keys and toured their completed houses with asthma-healthy features for the first time.

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In Philadelphia, Anna Johnson and her 18-year-old daughter Tatiana are ready to live in a house that doesn't have roof and water damage, moldy carpets and poor electrical wiring, which exist in their current home. A house with asthma-healthy features is important to Tatiana, who struggles with asthma, physical limitations and cognitive impairment. Tatiana, who uses a wheelchair, also is looking forward to a single-level house with wheelchair-accessible features.

"My family and I are excited to start our lives in our new house with asthma-healthy features," said Anna Johnson. "Asthma is a reality for Tatiana because sometimes the slightest thing can trigger her symptoms. I am hopeful that the additional modifications to this house can have a positive impact on Tatiana's asthma and her ability to use her wheelchair. I 'm grateful to everyone who helped build our house as part of the Build Smart, Breathe Easier program."

In Los Angeles, Martha Partida and her family have also struggled with difficult living conditions in their current home, including poor insulation and mold. Some of these issues have become health hazards for two of Martha's children, Johnathan (6) and Cindy (15), due to their struggles with asthma. Although the family faces numerous challenges in their home life, all of the children excel in school. Martha works as a pediatric service technician caring for children with long-term healthcare issues.

"I am sincerely thankful to have been a part of the Build Smart, Breathe Easier program and am thrilled to move my family into a four-bedroom house after living so long in a cramped space," said Martha Partida. "The asthma-healthy features of my new home will benefit my whole family, particularly my two children who have asthma."

Based on principles from AAFA's asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program, these houses incorporate asthma-healthy features using specific building techniques, materials and ventilation systems. Some of these elements include:

• Hard-surface flooring, including wood, linoleum and ceramic tile
• Paint with a volatile organic compound (VOC)-free, antimicrobial finish, which helps prevent the adherence of mold or bacteria and has no lingering odor
• Cabinetry, counter tops and vanities designed to minimize the emission of VOCs
• Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) filters with high Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) ratings, which capture more and smaller-sized air particles than filters with lower MERV ratings
• A washing machine that reaches water temperatures high enough to kill dust mites and their eggs
• Advanced framing techniques that allow for heavy insulation of the exterior walls and reduce the amount of air and moisture infiltration. Expanding foam is also used around the exterior doors, windows and foundation wall to help reduce moisture flow and outside air that may contain additional asthma triggers from entering the house
• Additionally, the Partida's house features blinds in all of the windows, as an alternative to fabric window treatments that can collect allergens, and a synthetic grass lawn and low pollinating plants to help reduce exposure to pollen and other outside allergens

Merck also donated modest, AAFA-certified products to the families to help them maintain asthma-healthy houses. These include: asthma & allergy friendly® bedding for everyone in the family, asthma & allergy friendly® toys for the children; and a vacuum with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter suitable for cleaning hard-surface flooring and area rugs.

The first house built with asthma-healthy features as part of the Build Smart, Breathe Easier program was dedicated in Detroit in July, and the final house in Atlanta will be dedicated in December.

"Build Smart, Breathe Easier goes beyond building new houses by teaching families affected by asthma ways to address common triggers in order to help minimize the impact of the disease," said Dr. Reynold Panettieri, asthma researcher and professor at the University of Pennsylvania. "It's also important for people with asthma to work with their doctors to determine an appropriate, individualized asthma action plan that fits their needs."  

Learn More and Get Involved

If you, a family member or a friend is suffering from asthma, please visit Build Smart, Breathe Easier at www.buildsmartbreatheeasier.com to learn how to reduce exposure to asthma triggers in the home and to access tools that can help manage the disease. There, you can also stay up-to-date on the builds, including information about the families and progress on each of the houses.

About Asthma

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's 2011 Asthma Capitals report, Philadelphia is ranked 9 out of 100 large cities that are challenging for individuals with asthma, and Los Angeles is ranked 57.

• More than 1 million adults and children in Pennsylvania had asthma in 2009, with nearly 25,000 hospitalizations in the state attributed to the disease.
• In Los Angeles County, nearly 1.2 million adults and children have asthma, according to the Asthma Coalition of Los Angeles County. This represents 14.2 percent of children and 11.1 percent of adults in the county.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by inflammation of the air passages, resulting in the episodic narrowing of the airways. Asthma symptoms can be triggered by allergens or irritants and symptoms can include difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. With more than 24 million people living with asthma in the United States, it is one of the most common and costly chronic diseases. Annually, this disease leads to almost two million asthma-related emergency room visits and close to 4,000 asthma-related deaths in the United States.

Build Smart, Breathe Easier Partners

Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 400,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 2 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit Habitat.org.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) strives to eliminate substandard housing through advocacy, education and partnership with families and individuals in need to build simple, sustainable and affordable housing. Since 1990, HFH GLA has built and renovated more than 700 homes locally and worldwide, transforming the lives of hundreds of individuals. HFH GLA is a GuideStar® Valued Partner. For more information, please visit http://www.habitatla.org or call 310-323-4663. Visit our blog at http://buildingagreaterla.blogspot.com.

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia is an independently chartered affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), a nonprofit organization that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Locally, Habitat Philadelphia is on a mission to transform lives and our city by building quality homes in partnership with families in need, and uniting all Philadelphians around the cause of affordable housing. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit http://www.habitatphiladelphia.org/.  

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), a not-for-profit organization founded in 1953, is the leading patient organization for people with asthma and allergies, and the oldest asthma and allergy patient group in the world. AAFA is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with asthma and allergic diseases through education, advocacy and research. AAFA provides practical information, community based services and support to people through a network of regional chapters, support groups and other local partners around the United States. For more information, visit www.aafa.org.

Carter Oosterhouse

Carter Oosterhouse is an authority in eco-living and one of America's most recognized lifestyle experts. As host of HGTV's "Carter Can" and "Red, Hot & Green," Carter uses his design and carpentry expertise to help homeowners improve their surroundings, often incorporating green building solutions as well as design alternatives that promote healthier living.  

The youngest of four children, Carter was born and raised in Traverse City, MI, where he started acquiring his carpentry skills and respect for the environment at an early age. From Carter's first television appearance on TLC's "Trading Spaces," audiences have adored his down-to-earth personality and craftsman skills. He was voted People magazine's "Sexiest Man on TV" in 2003 and has also become a go-to home improvement expert for many national media, including Rachael Ray, The Today Show, Oprah and The View.  

Carter is also the founder of Carter's Kids, an organization dedicated to building and developing community parks and playgrounds in low-income areas in an effort to promote healthy living. For more information about Carter, visit www.carteroosterhouse.com.  

About Merck

Today's Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and consumer care and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

CONTACTS:
Tara Camp (Merck)
908-423-7425
[email protected]

Angel Waldron (AAFA)
202-466-7643 (ext. 248)
[email protected]  

Tami Griffin (Habitat for Humanity International)
303-332-8446
[email protected]

Corinne O'Connell (Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia)
215-765-6000 (ext. 22)
[email protected]

Jo-An Turman (Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles)
424-246-3175
[email protected]

Jennifer Semetulskis (Edelman)
312-240-2994
[email protected]

SOURCE Merck

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