Concentration of airborne mite allergens (Der I and Der II) during sleep.

Using a low-noise air sampler and a sensitive radioimmunoassay, we measured the concentration of mite allergens in the air during sleeping with Japanese bedquilts (futon). The airborne allergen levels of Der I (Der p I plus Der f I) and Der II during sleep were 223 and 87.1 pg/m3 of air, respectively. These levels were about 10-fold higher than those during usual domestic life in the living room of the same houses. When the bedquilts were changed to new ones free of mite allergens, the airborne allergen levels of Der I and Der II were decreased to 11.5 and 12.0 pg/m3, respectively. This indicated that the mite airborne allergens during sleep were generated from the used bedding, not from the floor. We believe that exposure to airborne mite allergens during sleep might be an important factor in the development of mite allergies.