On World Asthma Day commemorated on May 5, the Challenge8000 team participated in a seminar dedicated to this health problem in Malta. The seminar was organised by the Society of Maltese Asthmatics whose cause Challenge8000 is committed to promote as part of its ongoing endeavour to raise awareness on respiratory problems in Malta and better air quality. This commitment comes in view of respiratory difficulties mountaineers' face at high altitudes.

Dr Gregory Attard, one of the three Maltese men who will be attempting to climb Mount Everest next year spoke of the respiratory difficulties one encounters at high altitude. Dr Attard said that the two main expeditions of Challenge8000 will take the Maltese team in altitudes of over 8,000 metres in what is known as the ‘death zone', a zone which does not sustain life.

In such circumstances, the high altitudes and the decrease in oxygen will make the team vulnerable to a series of difficulties ranging from Khumbu cough, dry air, altitude sickness, hypoxia and others. Despite all this, the incidence of asthma and allergen induced respiratory disease decreases with increasing altitude. Moreover, atopic individuals tend to see a decrease in symptoms the higher they go and the team's guide, Mr Victor Saunders, is himself a chronic asthmatic who has summitted the Everest four times.

Dr Attard also stated that the team of Challenge8000 is hoping to inspire Maltese asthmatics to aim high and not be discouraged by their conditions.

Asthma is the most common chronic condition in the world and Malta currently has the highest incidence in all of the Mediterranean.