House‐dust‐mite allergen concentrations (Der f 1) and mold spores in apartment bedrooms before and after installation of insulated windows and central heating systems

Background: It has been hypothesized that changes in heating systems and insulation of homes in developed countries have generated an indoor climate favorable to organisms that excrete allergens inducing sensitization and allergic disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Allergy (Copenhagen) 2000-01, Vol.55 (1), p.79-83
Main Authors: Hirsch, T., Hering, M., Bürkner, K., Hirsch, D., Leupold, W., Kerkmann, M.‐L., Kuhlisch, E., Jatzwauk, L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air Pollution, Indoor - analysis
air‐exchange rate
Allergens - analysis
Allergic diseases
Animals
Antigens, Dermatophagoides
apartment renovation
Beds - microbiology
Biological and medical sciences
central heating system
Der f 1
Der f 1 antigen
Environmental Microbiology
Glycoproteins - analysis
Heating - adverse effects
house‐dust‐mite allergens
Housing
Humidity - adverse effects
Immunopathology
indoor climate
insulated windows
Medical sciences
Mites - chemistry
mold spores
Respiratory and ent allergic diseases
Spores, Fungal - isolation & purification
Temperature
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Summary:Background: It has been hypothesized that changes in heating systems and insulation of homes in developed countries have generated an indoor climate favorable to organisms that excrete allergens inducing sensitization and allergic disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the installation of highly insulated windows and central heating systems on indoor climate, and mite‐allergen (Der f 1) and mold spore concentrations. Methods: The bedrooms of 98 apartments were examined before and 7 months (mean) after installation of insulated windows and central heating systems. The air‐exchange rate, temperature, and humidity were measured. In settled dust on carpets and mattresses, the number of colony‐forming mold spores and the Der f 1 concentration were determined. The inhabitants completed a questionnaire about their lifestyles and housing conditions. Results: The air‐exchange rate decreased from geometric mean 0.73 to 0.52 per hour (P=0.029). Temperature (mean 13.4 vs 17.5°C, P
ISSN:0105-4538
1398-9995
DOI:10.1034/j.1398-9995.2000.00250.x