Exposure to multiple indoor allergens in US homes and its relationship to asthma

Päivi M Salo; Samuel J Arbes; Patrick W Crockett; Peter S Thorne; Richard D Cohn; Darryl C Zeldin

doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2007.12.1164

Back

Exposure to multiple indoor allergens in US homes and its relationship to asthma

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Exposure to multiple indoor allergens in US homes and its relationship to asthma

Päivi M Salo, Samuel J Arbes, Patrick W Crockett, Peter S Thorne, Richard D Cohn and Darryl C Zeldin

Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, Vol.121(3), pp.678-684.e2

2008

DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2007.12.1164

PMID: 18255132

Files and links (1)

url

http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2007.12.1164View

Open Access

Abstract

The National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing was the first population-based study to measure indoor allergen levels in US homes. We characterized the overall burden to multiple allergens and examined whether increased allergen levels were associated with occupants' asthma status. This cross-sectional study surveyed a nationally representative sample of 831 housing units in 75 different locations throughout the United States. Information was collected by means of questionnaire and environmental assessment. Allergen concentrations in dust samples were assessed by using immunoassays. The following cutoff points were used to define increased allergen levels: 10 μg/g for Der p 1, Der f 1, and Can f 1; 8 μg/g for Fel d 1; 8 U/g for Bla g 1; 1.6 μg/g for mouse urinary protein; and 7 μg/g for Alternaria alternata antigens. Allergen burden was considered high when 4 or more allergens exceeded increased levels in any of the sampling locations. Exposure to multiple allergens was common in US homes. Of the surveyed homes, 51.5% had at least 6 detectable allergens and 45.8% had at least 3 allergens exceeding increased levels. Race, income, housing type, absence of children, and presence of smokers, pets, cockroaches, rodents, and mold/moisture-related problems were independent predictors of high allergen burden. Among atopic subjects, high allergen burden increased the odds of having asthma symptoms (odds ratio, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.04-3.15). Increased allergen levels in the home are associated with asthma symptoms in allergic individuals.

indoor

allergy

asthma

exposure

Allergen

Details

Title: Subtitle: Exposure to multiple indoor allergens in US homes and its relationship to asthma
Creators: Päivi M Salo - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC
Samuel J Arbes - Rho, Inc, Chapel Hill, NC
Patrick W Crockett - Constella Group, LLC, Durham, NC
Peter S Thorne - College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Richard D Cohn - Constella Group, LLC, Durham, NC
Darryl C Zeldin - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, Vol.121(3), pp.678-684.e2
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2007.12.1164
PMID: 18255132
NLM abbreviation: J Allergy Clin Immunol
ISSN: 0091-6749
eISSN: 1097-6825
Publisher: Mosby, Inc
Language: English
Date published: 2008
Academic Unit: Civil and Environmental Engineering; Occupational and Environmental Health
Record Identifier: 9983997998502771

Metrics

36 Record Views

169 Times Cited - Web of Science