Tranter Daniel C, Wobbema Amanda Teresa, Norlien Kathleen, Dorschner Dale F
Minnesota Department of Health, Division of Environmental Health, P.O. Box 64975, St. Paul, MN 55164-0975, USA.
J Occup Environ Hyg. 2009 Sep;6(9):582-91. doi: 10.1080/15459620903103454.
Elevated concentrations of allergens in the indoor environment may cause allergic sensitization and symptoms. Occupant exposure to indoor allergens in educational facilities should and can be controlled. This study (1) assessed the presence of indoor allergens in Minnesota schools and child care centers, (2) characterized the distribution of allergens in different materials, and (3) evaluated the effect of building and maintenance interventions on allergen concentrations. Settled dust samples were collected from carpet, vinyl tile floors, and upholstered furniture in six schools and seven child care centers before and after interventions. Interventions included changes to cleaning, ventilation, entry mats, furnishings, flooring, and classroom items. The amount of total dust, culturable fungi, and indoor allergens--cockroach, dust mite, cat, and dog--were quantified in the dust samples. Cockroach and dust mite allergens were generally low and below the detection limit, but one dust mite allergen was detected in some areas. Cat and dog allergens were frequently detected at elevated levels, with half the samples above the provisional sensitization risk thresholds and a few samples above the symptom thresholds. Allergen concentrations were highest in upholstered furniture, followed by carpeting and then vinyl floor tile. Cat and dog allergens were lower after the interventions. Cat and dog allergens, but not dust mite and cockroach allergens, seem to be ubiquitous in child care and elementary schools of the U.S. Midwest. These allergens may contribute to sensitization in atopic individuals and occasionally cause symptoms in sensitized allergic individuals. Fleecy materials that are not adequately cleaned, such as upholstered furniture, appear to be the most significant allergen reservoirs. Modest environmental interventions can be implemented by building staff, which should result in lower allergen concentrations.
室内环境中过敏原浓度升高可能会导致过敏致敏和出现症状。教育机构中的居住者接触室内过敏原的情况应该且能够得到控制。本研究：（1）评估了明尼苏达州学校和日托中心室内过敏原的存在情况；（2）描述了不同材料中过敏原的分布特征；（3）评估了建筑和维护干预措施对过敏原浓度的影响。在干预前后，从六所学校和七所日托中心的地毯、乙烯基地板和软垫家具上采集了沉降灰尘样本。干预措施包括清洁、通风、入口地垫、家具、地板和教室物品的改变。对灰尘样本中的总灰尘量、可培养真菌以及室内过敏原——蟑螂、尘螨、猫和狗过敏原进行了定量分析。蟑螂和尘螨过敏原通常含量较低且低于检测限，但在某些区域检测到了一种尘螨过敏原。猫和狗过敏原经常被检测到处于升高水平，一半的样本超过了临时致敏风险阈值，少数样本超过了症状阈值。过敏原浓度在软垫家具中最高，其次是地毯，然后是乙烯基地板。干预后猫和狗过敏原含量降低。在美国中西部的日托中心和小学中，猫和狗过敏原似乎普遍存在，但尘螨和蟑螂过敏原并非如此。这些过敏原可能会导致特应性个体致敏，并偶尔在致敏的过敏个体中引发症状。未得到充分清洁的柔软材料，如软垫家具，似乎是最重要的过敏原储存源。建筑工作人员可以实施适度的环境干预措施，这应该会降低过敏原浓度。
