[Domestic exposure to moulds and mite allergens in Parisian patients].

INTRODUCTION

Moulds and mite allergens present in indoor environments are well known for their effects on respiratory health.

METHODS

From 2011 to 2015, the Paris Service for Environmental Health (SPSE) conducted investigations in 293 dwellings following medical referral. These audits included fungal analysis of air (in 12% of dwellings), in mattress surface and floor dust (24%), and mite allergen quantifications in mattresses and carpets (18%).

RESULTS

Indoor air fungal concentrations are not significantly different from those in outdoor air. When there is no ventilation or when the system is malfunctioning, an increase in indoor/outdoor air ratios is observed, indicating mould enrichment in the dwelling's indoor air. With regard to house dust samples, fungal spore concentrations vary according to the media from which samples were collected. Mattress fungal contamination is higher in dwellings where observed surface moulds exceed 1 per square meter. In the same way Der p1 mite allergens levels are greater in mattress dust in dwellings where mould contamination is visible.

CONCLUSIONS

This study describes the levels of contamination in the dwellings of Parisian patients.