How to Breathe Easier during Asthma Awareness Month and Beyond

Dr. Krystal L. Cleven, Pulmonologist Bronx Voice 

May 12, 2025

BRONX - May means warmer weather and beautiful blooming flowers. And with this beauty comes a lot more pollen circulating in the air.

Pollen is a common trigger of asthma, a chronic condition that causes airway inflammation in the lungs. Dust, pet hair, air pollution, cockroaches, mice, smoke, and weather changes can also trigger asthma episodes. Shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, and wheezing are well-known asthma symptoms. 

Asthma in the Bronx

In New York City, approximately 14% of adults and children have asthma but the rates in the Bronx are higher at 21%. Emergency room visits and hospitalizations due to asthma are also about twice as high in the Bronx compared to the rest of New York City.

Although outdoor air pollution may be a factor for people living near busy roads and highways, most areas of the Bronx have lower outdoor pollution than areas such as Midtown Manhattan. The Bronx has the most parks of any borough and all those trees help to filter the air, making it cleaner. Of course, for people with tree or pollen allergies this can increase their risk of asthma episodes.

Living with asthma triggers like cockroaches and mice, water leaks leading to mold, and secondhand smoke exposure are a significant factor – and Bronx residents are more likely to report the presence of these issues in their homes. Gas stoves, common in the Bronx, can also release pollutants that worsen asthma.

If you are concerned about mold, pests, or secondhand smoke, contact your landlord or call 311 and ask about the Healthy Neighborhoods Program. This service will evaluate your home and help guide you and your landlord on how to fix problems that may be worsening your asthma. 

Breathe Easier at Home

One easy step to breathing better air can be to open your windows and let the fresh air in! Believe it or not, outdoor air is often cleaner than indoor air in homes, especially in those with gas stoves. It sounds simple, but opening a window is a great way to quickly improve ventilation. Additionally, a HEPA filter can reduce indoor air pollution. Keep a handle on real-time air quality and pollen levels using a weather app. Note days with poor outdoor air quality or high pollen and do what you can to stay inside. For those who are sensitive to pet hair, it’s best to keep animals out of the space you sleep in, as well as remove or clean carpets which trap hair and dust.

For more information and personal advice, you can seek help from experts at our Montefiore Asthma Centers, where pulmonary and allergy physicians offer evaluations, as well as the most up-to-date tests and treatments for severe and hard-to-treat asthma. Services are available at 3400 Bainbridge Ave and 1250 Waters Pl. Call 718-920-4321 to make an appointment.