I Sander1, A Lotz1, H D Neumann2, C Czibor1, A Flagge1, E Zahradnik1, M Raulf1. 1. Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine, German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany. 2. German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the public sector in North Rhine-Westphalia, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Early-life sensitization to indoor allergens predicts asthma development. The aim of this study was to compare allergen concentrations in day-care centers (DCC) with those in private homes. METHODS: Settled airborne dust was collected 4 times a year from 20 German DCC (620 samples) and from the homes of children and day-care workers (602 samples) using electrostatic dust collectors (EDC). The samples were analyzed with fluorescence enzyme immunoassays recognizing domestic mite allergens (DM), Fel d 1, Can f 1, and Mus m 1. Pet allergen thresholds that discriminate samples from homes with cats or dogs from those without were calculated using receiver-operating characteristics. Influences on allergen levels were analyzed using multilevel models. RESULTS: Allergen loads were on average higher in DCC than in homes. In DCC, 96% of the samples were positive for DM, 95% for Can f 1, 90% for Fel d 1, and 83% for Mus m 1. In homes, 84% contained DM, 48.5% Can f 1, 33% Fel d 1, and 43% Mus m 1. The threshold level for homes with dogs was 75 ng/m² Can f 1 (96.8% sensitivity, 96% specificity), and the threshold level for homes with cats was 46 ng/m² Fel d 1 (92% sensitivity, 94.9% specificity). In DCC, Can f 1 and Fel d 1 loads were higher than these thresholds in 37% and 54% of the samples, respectively. Allergen levels were significantly influenced by the season and room type; however, carpets on floors had no influence. CONCLUSIONS: Mite, mouse, cat, and dog allergens were mostly higher in DCC than in homes. Exposure to dog and cat allergens in DCC often reached levels of households with pets.
BACKGROUND: Early-life sensitization to indoor allergens predicts asthma development. The aim of this study was to compare allergen concentrations in day-care centers (DCC) with those in private homes. METHODS: Settled airborne dust was collected 4 times a year from 20 German DCC (620 samples) and from the homes of children and day-care workers (602 samples) using electrostatic dust collectors (EDC). The samples were analyzed with fluorescence enzyme immunoassays recognizing domestic mite allergens (DM), Fel d 1, Can f 1, and Mus m 1. Pet allergen thresholds that discriminate samples from homes with cats or dogs from those without were calculated using receiver-operating characteristics. Influences on allergen levels were analyzed using multilevel models. RESULTS: Allergen loads were on average higher in DCC than in homes. In DCC, 96% of the samples were positive for DM, 95% for Can f 1, 90% for Fel d 1, and 83% for Mus m 1. In homes, 84% contained DM, 48.5% Can f 1, 33% Fel d 1, and 43% Mus m 1. The threshold level for homes with dogs was 75 ng/m² Can f 1 (96.8% sensitivity, 96% specificity), and the threshold level for homes with cats was 46 ng/m² Fel d 1 (92% sensitivity, 94.9% specificity). In DCC, Can f 1 and Fel d 1 loads were higher than these thresholds in 37% and 54% of the samples, respectively. Allergen levels were significantly influenced by the season and room type; however, carpets on floors had no influence. CONCLUSIONS: Mite, mouse, cat, and dog allergens were mostly higher in DCC than in homes. Exposure to dog and cat allergens in DCC often reached levels of households with pets.
Authors: Torie Grant; Ana M Rule; Kirsten Koehler; Robert A Wood; Elizabeth C Matsui Journal: Curr Allergy Asthma Rep Date: 2019-02-12 Impact factor: 4.806
Authors: F Hoffmeyer; A Beine; A Lotz; O Kleinmüller; C Nöllenheidt; E Zahradnik; A Nienhaus; M Raulf Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2021-10-20 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Ingrid Sander; Anne Lotz; Verena Liebers; Eva Zahradnik; Ulrich Sauke-Gensow; Jens Petersen; Monika Raulf Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2021-11-05 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Eva Zahradnik; Ingrid Sander; Olaf Kleinmüller; Anne Lotz; Verena Liebers; Bente Janssen-Weets; Stéphanie Kler; Christiane Hilger; Alexandra Beine; Frank Hoffmeyer; Albert Nienhaus; Monika Raulf Journal: Ann Work Expo Health Date: 2022-01-07 Impact factor: 2.179