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New mattresses: how fast do they become a significant source of exposure to house dust mite allergens?
Author(s) -
CUSTOVIC A.,
GREEN R.,
SMITH A.,
CHAPMAN M. D.,
WOODCOCK A.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1996.tb00520.x
Subject(s) - bedroom , mite , house dust mite , allergen , asthma , toxicology , medicine , significant difference , dust mites , sensitization , allergy , immunology , biology , ecology , civil engineering , engineering
Summary Background Sensitization and exposure to mile allergens is a major risk factor for asthma. Little is known about the rate of build‐up of allergens in the mite microhabitats. Objectives To investigate the rate of increase in mite allergen levels in new mattresses. Methods Der p 1 was measured in the dust samples collected from six identical new single mattresses over a period of 2 years. Results Der p 1 increased significantly at 4 months as compared with baseline level ( P < 0.01), but no difference was found between the concentrations at 4. 8, 12 and 24 months. There was a significant correlation between Der p 1 concentration in mattresses at 4.8, 12 and 24 months and Der p 1 levels in the bedroom carpet at the beginning of the study. Conclusions New mattresses can become a significant source of exposure to mite allergens after a short period of time (< 4 months). There is little justification for advising mite sensitive patients to replace their mattresses as a part of avoidance regime.