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Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) is a monthly journal of peer-reviewed research and news on the impact of the environment on human health. EHP is published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and its content is free online. Print issues are available by paid subscription.DISCLAIMER
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Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 109, Number 8, August 2001 Open Access
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Effects of Physical Interventions on House Dust Mite Allergen Levels in Carpet, Bed, and Upholstery Dust in Low-Income, Urban Homes

Patrick J. Vojta,1 Sandra P. Randels,2 James Stout,2 Michael Muilenberg,3 Harriet A. Burge,3 Henry Lynn,4 Herman Mitchell,4 George T. O'Connor,5 and Darryl C. Zeldin1

1Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
2Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
3Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
4Rho, Inc., Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
5Department of Medicine, Boston University, School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Abstract

House dust mite allergen exposure is a postulated risk factor for allergic sensitization, asthma development, and asthma morbidity ; however, practical and effective methods to mitigate these allergens from low-income, urban home environments remain elusive. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of physical interventions to mitigate house dust mite allergens in this setting. Homes with high levels of house dust mite allergen (Der f 1 + Der p 1 Greater 10 µg/g dust by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) in the bed, bedroom carpet, and/or upholstered furniture were enrolled in the study. Carpets and upholstered furniture were subjected to a single treatment of either dry steam cleaning plus vacuuming (carpet only) or intensive vacuuming alone. Bed interventions consisted of complete encasement of the mattress, box spring, and pillows plus either weekly professional or in-home laundering of nonencased bedding. Dust samples were collected at baseline and again at 3 days (carpet and upholstery only) and 2, 4, and 8 weeks posttreatment. We compared pretreatment mean allergen concentrations and loads to posttreatment values and performed between-group analyses after adjusting for differences in the pretreatment means. Both dry steam cleaning plus vacuuming and vacuuming alone resulted in a significant reduction in carpet house dust mite allergen concentration and load (p < 0.05) . Levels approached pretreatment values by 4 weeks posttreatment in the intensive vacuuming group, whereas steam cleaning plus vacuuming effected a decrease that persisted for up to 8 weeks. Significant decreases in bed house dust mite allergen concentration and load were obtained in response to encasement and either professional or in-home laundering (p < 0.001) . Between-group analysis revealed significantly less postintervention house dust mite allergen load in professionally laundered compared to home-laundered beds (p < 0.05) . Intensive vacuuming and dry steam cleaning both caused a significant reduction in allergen concentration and load in upholstered furniture samples (p < 0.005) . Based on these data, we conclude that physical interventions offer practical, effective means of reducing house dust mite allergen levels in low-income, urban home environments. Key words: , , , , . Environ Health Perspect 109:815-819 (2001) . [Online 6 August 2001]

http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2001/109p815-819vojta/ abstract.html

Address correspondence to D.C. Zeldin, NIEHS, 111 Alexander Drive, Mail Drop D2-02, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA. Telephone: (919) 541-1169. Fax: (919) 541-4133. E-mail: zeldin@niehs.nih.gov

We thank S. London and D. Morgan for helpful suggestions during preparation of this manuscript.

This work was funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Division of Intramural Research, and the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities.

Received 20 November 2000 ; accepted 20 February 2001.


The full version of this article is available for free in HTML or PDF formats.
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