Measurement of aeroallergens from furnace filters.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-2015
Identifier
DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2014.10.015
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Exposure assessment is an important component of allergic disease diagnosis and management. Analysis for allergen content in vacuumed dust has been used traditionally.
OBJECTIVE: To study allergen levels of dust taken from high-efficiency furnace filters in Midwestern homes.
METHODS: Furnace filters used were FQT12 1-inch disposable filters with high-efficiency media placed in homes enrolled in the Kansas City Safe and Healthy Homes Project. Dust was removed from the filters by vacuuming. Fungal culture was used to obtain counts of viable spores. Aeroallergens Fel d1, Can f1, Mus m1, Der f1, Der p1, and Bla g2 and antigenic material from Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium species were measured using commercially available immunoassay materials.
RESULTS: Sixty filters were recovered from 56 homes after an average 135 days in situ. Mean weight of dust recovered was 2.43 g and correlated well with the time the filter was in place. Viable spore counts ranged to 4.8 × 10(7) per gram of dust. Mean fungal antigenic material ranged to 42 μg per gram for Cladosporium species. Mean aeroallergen material ranged to 7 μg per gram for Fel d1. Aeroallergen measurements were above the level of detection in 100% of houses for Fel d1 and 89% of houses for Bla g2. Levels of Fel d1 and Can f1 were strongly positively correlated.
CONCLUSION: Allergens from 5 common aeroallergen species and antigenic material from 4 common fungal taxa can be measured in dust taken from high-efficiency furnace filters.
Journal Title
Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
Volume
114
Issue
3
First Page
221
Last Page
225
MeSH Keywords
Air Filters; Air Pollution, Indoor; Allergens; Alternaria; Antigens, Fungal; Aspergillus; Cladosporium; Colony Count, Microbial; Dust; Environmental Exposure; Filtration; Fungi; Humans; Penicillium
Keywords
Air Filters; Air Pollution, Indoor; Allergens; Alternaria; Antigens, Fungal; Aspergillus; Cladosporium; Colony Count, Microbial; Dust; Environmental Exposure; Filtration; Fungi; Humans; Penicillium
Recommended Citation
Barnes CS, Allenbrand R, Mohammed M, et al. Measurement of aeroallergens from furnace filters. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2015;114(3):221-225. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2014.10.015
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