Indoor Allergens in Minnesota Schools and Child Care Centers
| Autor: | Kathleen Norlien, Amanda Teresa Wobbema, Daniel C. Tranter, Dale F. Dorschner |
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| Rok vydání: | 2009 |
| Předmět: |
Surface Properties
Minnesota Cockroaches medicine.disease_cause complex mixtures Dogs Allergen immune system diseases Environmental health otorhinolaryngologic diseases medicine Mite Animals Humans Child Child care Schools biology House dust mite allergy business.industry Pyroglyphidae Public Health Environmental and Occupational Health Child Day Care Centers Environmental Exposure Allergens respiratory system biology.organism_classification respiratory tract diseases Cats Upholstered furniture business |
| Zdroj: | Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. 6:582-591 |
| ISSN: | 1545-9632 1545-9624 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/15459620903103454 |
| Popis: | Elevated concentrations of allergens in the indoor environment may cause allergic sensitization and symptoms. Occupant exposure to indoor allergens in educational facilities should and can be controlled. This study (1) assessed the presence of indoor allergens in Minnesota schools and child care centers, (2) characterized the distribution of allergens in different materials, and (3) evaluated the effect of building and maintenance interventions on allergen concentrations. Settled dust samples were collected from carpet, vinyl tile floors, and upholstered furniture in six schools and seven child care centers before and after interventions. Interventions included changes to cleaning, ventilation, entry mats, furnishings, flooring, and classroom items. The amount of total dust, culturable fungi, and indoor allergens--cockroach, dust mite, cat, and dog--were quantified in the dust samples. Cockroach and dust mite allergens were generally low and below the detection limit, but one dust mite allergen was detected in some areas. Cat and dog allergens were frequently detected at elevated levels, with half the samples above the provisional sensitization risk thresholds and a few samples above the symptom thresholds. Allergen concentrations were highest in upholstered furniture, followed by carpeting and then vinyl floor tile. Cat and dog allergens were lower after the interventions. Cat and dog allergens, but not dust mite and cockroach allergens, seem to be ubiquitous in child care and elementary schools of the U.S. Midwest. These allergens may contribute to sensitization in atopic individuals and occasionally cause symptoms in sensitized allergic individuals. Fleecy materials that are not adequately cleaned, such as upholstered furniture, appear to be the most significant allergen reservoirs. Modest environmental interventions can be implemented by building staff, which should result in lower allergen concentrations. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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