Cockroaches, asthma and children's environmental health: Joining EPA’s efforts to reduce exposure to cockroach allergens in homes and schools

The focus of pests and asthma encompass all the challenges that this year's meeting theme hold; certainly pests and asthma are at the forefront of many entomologist in pest management. This Symposia will include discussion and research based on the following areas: Benefits of IPM and understanding the relationship between cockroach infestations and health, especially in children; Importance of indoor pests as etiological agents in human disease, especially asthma; How Integrated Pest Management can mitigate allergens in the classroom and sensitive areas; Discuss studies that evaluate the effectiveness of conventional cockroach control (routine, calendar based insecticide applications) and IPM in controlling German cockroach infestations and reducing cockroach allergen levels in schools; Compare and discuss IPM vs Conventional pest management; How does School IPM and Conventional pest control compare with regard to allergens on school surfaces?