Cockroach-asthma link heightens importance of effective control measures.

LITITZ, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 19, 1996--The recent news from the National Institutes of Health that cockroaches are a leading cause of asthma among poor urban children was no surprise to the pest-control experts at Woodstream, Lititz.

"We've known for many years that cockroaches cause allergies, food poisoning, diarrhea, salmonella, gastroenteritis and other infections," said Andy Woolworth, Woodstream executive vice president.

"This latest finding confirms our belief that cockroaches pose a very serious health hazard and urban residents should take appropriate action to control America's No. 1 household pest. Now is the time to act because cockroach activity escalates early in the summer, peaking in July and August."

The National Cooperative Inner City Asthma Study, a five-year, $17 million study sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has concluded that cockroaches are the leading cause of asthma among poor children in seven U.S. cities, according to an Associated Press story.

The study found that cockroach "antigens" are the most powerful of all possible asthma-provoking materials that children encounter in inner-city homes. An antigen is a substance that causes children to wheeze -- the most common symptom of asthma.

In 1991, a team of researchers set out to identify the antigens in low-income children's asthma. They expected to find that dust mites and cats are the culprits because they are the leading causes of asthma in suburban areas.

But after testing 1,528 children under age 10 and visiting half of their homes, the researchers discovered that the leading antigen comes from droppings and carcasses produced by German cockroaches. These roaches are most common in Los Angeles and New York City, the top two U.S. cities where roach-control products are purchased.

Reducing Airborne Particles

Decaying cockroach carcasses and droppings become airborne and may contribute to asthma and allergy problems, according to Woodstream.

Fortunately, there is a new method of controlling roaches and reducing the amount of airborne carcasses and droppings -- the Victor Roach Magnet, a new non-poisonous product from Woodstream. The Roach Magnet contains a natural German-cockroach pheromone attractant that quickly lures roaches from their harborages.

"The pheromone is an odorless attractant that's sensed only by German cockroaches," Woolworth said. "The trap has no poisons, toxic fumes or insecticides, so it's harmless to children, pets, food and the environment."

The Roach Magnet catches roaches with a sticky glue surface. When the trap is full, consumers can simply throw it away, along with the decaying carcasses and droppings. Based on field and lab tests, the Roach Magnet catches at least three times as many cockroaches as competitive traps that don't use the pheromone.

According to Woodstream, cockroaches get into the cracks and crevices of homes, taking up residence in kitchen and bathroom cabinets, under appliances and furniture. And when they multiply, watch out. An adult female cockroach can produce hundreds of thousands of offspring in her seven- to eight-month life span, so effective control is essential.

Asthma: Growing Problem

While asthma is a serious problem in urban areas, it is the most common chronic illness of childhood and appears to be increasing everywhere, even though outdoor and indoor air-quality levels have improved. The proportion of Americans who say they have asthma has risen 45 percent in the past decade. Some 12 million Americans -- a third of them under age 18 -- suffer from asthma.

The problem is particularly acute in New York City, where 8.6 percent of children in the Bronx have asthma -- double the rate for urban residents nationally.

CONTACT: Steve Graham, 717/393-0365