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Reduction of the mite‐allergen reservoir within mattresses by vacuum‐cleaning. A comparison of three vacuum‐cleaning systems
Author(s) -
Wickman M.,
Paues S.,
Emenius G.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/j.1398-9995.1997.tb00187.x
Subject(s) - vacuum cleaner , allergen , mite , toxicology , environmental science , medicine , allergy , immunology , biology , ecology , engineering , mechanical engineering , suction
Mattresses are considered to be the main source of house‐dust‐mite (HDM) allergen. This study aimed to investigate different types of vacuum cleaners for their ability to reduce this allergen reservoir. Three types of vacuum cleaners were examined: a conventional vacuum cleaner, a water‐trap cleaner, and a central vacuum cleaner. Cut out pieces of mattresses were analyzed for content of mite allergen after vacuum‐cleaning. Three polyester mattresses from the homes of three children were selected for the study. These three mattresses had earlier been found to be contaminated by group 1 HDM alhlergen (8–15 μg/g of dust). Each mattress was divided into three main sections, separated by a safety zone, and each main section was subdivided into four parts. The three main sections were cleaned by each vacuum‐cleaning system. Pieces 2–cm‐thick of the surface of the mattresses were cut out, and extracts were made to assess the amount of mite allergen still present after different intensities of vacuum‐cleaning. A considerable reduction in the level of mite allergen was found after using all three of the vacuum‐cleaning systems. Only 22% of the original mite‐allergen reservoir remained after intense vacuum‐cleaning. Since the number of mattresses in the investigation was low, and niche formations of group 1 HDM allergen within the mattresses were observed, the results must be interpreted with caution. Furthermore, allergen‐producing living dust mites were not affected by this method. However, intense vacuum‐cleaning seems to reduce considerably the level of the mattress‐bound mite‐allergen reservoir, a fact which may be important in mite‐allergic and mite‐exposed families.