Abstract |
Exposure to allergens from house dust-mites ( Der p 1) and domestic cats (Fel d 1) is associated with symptom severity in atopic subjects with asthma and rhinitis. Assessment of allergen exposure in the domestic environment is normally determined by measurement from a single floor site. We determined the variability of these allergens and protein throughout the whole living room floor area. Dust samples were collected from 1 m2 areas from 16 carpeted living room floors in Wellington, New Zealand, and analyzed for concentrations of Der p 1 and Fel d 1. Mean coefficients of variation for Der p 1 and Fel d 1 were 53.1% (range: 28.5-136.8) and 65.6% (range: 28.5-131), respectively. This study has demonstrated a large variation of house dust-mite and cat allergens within living room floors and thus a single sampling site may not be representative for assessment of an individual's exposure risk. House dust-mite and cat allergen levels from the center of the room, in front of a couch or chair, or from a corner of the room are similar to mean levels from the whole room, these sites may thus be representative of the whole living room floor in large-scale epidemiological studies.
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Authors | R Loan, R Siebers, P Fitzharris, J Crane |
Journal | Indoor air
(Indoor Air)
Vol. 13
Issue 3
Pg. 232-6
(Sep 2003)
ISSN: 0905-6947 [Print] England |
PMID | 12950585
(Publication Type: Duplicate Publication, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Air Pollution, Indoor
(analysis)
- Allergens
(analysis)
- Animals
- Asthma
(etiology)
- Cats
- Dust
(analysis)
- Environmental Exposure
- Environmental Monitoring
(methods)
- Epidemiologic Studies
- Floors and Floorcoverings
- Humans
- Hypersensitivity, Immediate
(etiology)
- Pyroglyphidae
(immunology)
- Reproducibility of Results
- Rhinitis
(etiology)
- Specimen Handling
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