Dust allergens are substances found in household dust that can trigger allergic reactions in some people. These allergens include a variety of particles such as:
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Dust Mites: These are tiny creatures that thrive in warm, humid environments. They feed on skin flakes shed by humans and their waste products are potent allergens.
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Pet Dander: Tiny, even microscopic, flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs, rodents, birds, and other animals with fur or feathers. Pet dander is a common allergen and can be found in homes with pets as well as in places without pets due to its ability to travel on clothing.
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Mold Spores: Molds produce tiny spores that reproduce. These spores float in the air like pollen and can become part of household dust where they can provoke allergies.
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Pollen: Although mainly an outdoor allergen, pollen can be brought indoors by air currents, people, and pets. Once inside, it mixes with dust and can trigger reactions.
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Insect Parts: Fragments from cockroaches and other insects can become embedded in dust and are known to cause allergies.
When inhaled by someone who is allergic, these dust allergens can trigger symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and in more severe cases, asthma attacks. Managing dust allergens typically involves regular cleaning and reducing humidity in the home to inhibit the growth of dust mites and molds.
Dust allergens in mattresses, pillows, and-carpeting can be expected. We can perform dust sampling and laboratory analysis to determine if dust mite allergen levels are elevated. To reduce the potential of exposure to dust mite allergens, we recommend that you consider covering couches, love seats, mattresses, bedding with very fine count (300+) sheet(s), and that you vacuum only with a HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner.
In 1994 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated a major study of indoor air quality in public and commercial office buildings called Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation (BASE). A total of 100 buildings were studied following a Standardized EPA Protocol for Characterizing Indoor Air Quality in Large Office Buildings (USEPA, 1994). Dust allergen samples were collected for three major indoor dust allergens to expand the existing database on potential exposures to these known agents of allergic rhinitis and asthma in public and commercial office buildings. Cats and mites are among the few biological agents for which evidence of a causal relationship with asthma has been established (IOM, 2000). Skin test reactivity to animal dust allergens (primarily cat antigens) and house dust mites has been found in >25% of the population (IOM, 1993). A literature review concluded that pet allergens are found everywhere and vary with visits by persons with pets, presence of textile surfaces, cleaning standards, ventilation and activity, and season (higher in the heating season) (Ahlbom et al., 1998).