BACKGROUND: Cockroach allergen, Bla g 1, is an important indoor allergen. Although household exposure has been documented, little is known about the potential for exposure outside the home. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the settled dust concentration of Bla g 1 in 147 samples collected from classrooms, kitchens, cafeterias, and other sites in four primary schools in the city of Baltimore. METHODS: School authorities were questioned about characteristics of schools, teachers, and students, as well as cockroach control and cleaning procedures. Settled dust samples were collected with a hand-held vacuum cleaner from the floors of all classrooms, food-related areas, and other sites of the schools over a 3-week period. A sample collection in each school took 1 to 2 days. Dust samples from each room were pooled and analyzed as a single sample for Bla g 1 by using a two-site monoclonal ELISA. RESULTS: One hundred two (69%) of the 147 samples had detectable Bla g 1 and were within the range reported by other investigators in inner city homes. There was no difference between the median levels of Bla g 1 in three schools: school 1 (5.2 U/gm), school 2 (3.0 U/gm), and school 4 (2.7 U/gm); but school 3 had a significantly lower level (< 0.8 U/gm, p < 0.001). The median level from the food-related areas was significantly higher than the median classroom level (p = 0.048). School 3 had fewer students on subsidized lunch, fewer African-American students, and fewer students per teacher. Bla g 1 levels were compared in the different schools while controlling for potential confounding variables by a stepwise multiple regression analysis with a logit model for ordinal responses. On the basis of this analysis, Bla g 1 levels in schools 1, 2, and 4 differed significantly from levels in school 3 (p < 0.001 in each case). Food-related areas had significantly higher levels than classrooms (p = 0.048). Floor level, the presence of a sink, and the presence of carpeting did not have significant effects. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that Bla g 1 is detectable at potentially significant concentrations in some inner city schools. Furthermore, the level of exposure is different between different schools and between sites within individual schools.
BACKGROUND: Cockroach allergen, Bla g 1, is an important indoor allergen. Although household exposure has been documented, little is known about the potential for exposure outside the home. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the settled dust concentration of Bla g 1 in 147 samples collected from classrooms, kitchens, cafeterias, and other sites in four primary schools in the city of Baltimore. METHODS: School authorities were questioned about characteristics of schools, teachers, and students, as well as cockroach control and cleaning procedures. Settled dust samples were collected with a hand-held vacuum cleaner from the floors of all classrooms, food-related areas, and other sites of the schools over a 3-week period. A sample collection in each school took 1 to 2 days. Dust samples from each room were pooled and analyzed as a single sample for Bla g 1 by using a two-site monoclonal ELISA. RESULTS: One hundred two (69%) of the 147 samples had detectable Bla g 1 and were within the range reported by other investigators in inner city homes. There was no difference between the median levels of Bla g 1 in three schools: school 1 (5.2 U/gm), school 2 (3.0 U/gm), and school 4 (2.7 U/gm); but school 3 had a significantly lower level (< 0.8 U/gm, p < 0.001). The median level from the food-related areas was significantly higher than the median classroom level (p = 0.048). School 3 had fewer students on subsidized lunch, fewer African-American students, and fewer students per teacher. Bla g 1 levels were compared in the different schools while controlling for potential confounding variables by a stepwise multiple regression analysis with a logit model for ordinal responses. On the basis of this analysis, Bla g 1 levels in schools 1, 2, and 4 differed significantly from levels in school 3 (p < 0.001 in each case). Food-related areas had significantly higher levels than classrooms (p = 0.048). Floor level, the presence of a sink, and the presence of carpeting did not have significant effects. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that Bla g 1 is detectable at potentially significant concentrations in some inner city schools. Furthermore, the level of exposure is different between different schools and between sites within individual schools.
Authors: Stuart L Abramson; Anne Turner-Henson; Lise Anderson; Mary P Hemstreet; L Kay Bartholomew; Christine L M Joseph; Shenghui Tang; Shellie Tyrrell; Noreen M Clark; Dennis Ownby Journal: J Sch Health Date: 2006-08 Impact factor: 2.118
Authors: Wanda Phipatanakul; Anne Bailey; Elaine B Hoffman; William J Sheehan; Jeffrey P Lane; Sachin Baxi; Devika Rao; Perdita Permaul; Jonathan M Gaffin; Christine A Rogers; Michael L Muilenberg; Diane R Gold Journal: J Asthma Date: 2011-10-20 Impact factor: 2.515
Authors: William J Sheehan; Pitud A Rangsithienchai; Michael L Muilenberg; Christine A Rogers; Jeffrey P Lane; Jalal Ghaemghami; Donald V Rivard; Kanao Otsu; Elaine B Hoffman; Elliot Israel; Diane R Gold; Wanda Phipatanakul Journal: Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol Date: 2009-02 Impact factor: 6.347