Harvard researchers are teaming up with Boston’s biggest landlord—the Boston Housing Authority (BHA)—to collaborate on a long-term study on reducing unsanitary conditions that cause high rates of asthma in inner-city Boston.

The study aims to improve the health of both children and adults living in housing where indoor environmental conditions are less than ideal, said Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) Professor John D. “Jack” Spengler, one of the directors of the study.

“The high rate of asthma follows a pattern that suggest poor housing is a factor,” said Spengler, who is Yamaguchi professor of environmental health and human habitation.

Asthma-inducing agents include dust mites, cockroaches, molds, rodents, pet dander and indoor air pollution. Other stimulants include cigarette smoke, exercise, pollen and hygiene, according to the HSPH website.

Spengler said that as part of the study, the BHA will intervene to improve conditions in its publicly owned houses.

Industrial strength cleaning—particularly aggressive methods rarely used in residential space—will be used to remove molds, cockroaches and other allergens and pesticides from the housing, according to Spengler.

Other improvements will include new air-cleaning equipment, newly designed mattresses with allergy reducing fiber, systematic pest management and new ventilation systems in the housing.

Spengler said the study has recruited 60 families with asthmatic children who live in the Franklin Hill public housing development in Dorchester.

Surveyors—residents of Franklin Hill who were hired and trained last year—will collect health data from the families before and after improvements are made to housing conditions.

Spengler hopes the project will stimulate collaboration between different institutions in the city, such as universities and public health agencies.

Besides Harvard researchers, Boston University School of Public Health and Tufts School of Medicine faculty are also helping to direct the study.

“This is a different way of doing science,” Spengler said. “This consensus project brings a new way of thinking that most academics don’t think about.”

He said that conventionally, asthma is treated by prescribing medication, which does not address the underlying environmental causes of the disease.

“The way that society is structured, public money goes separately to health care and public housing,” Spengler said.

Spengler said that public health prevention needs to be addressed through new designs of public housing.