The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume 111, Issue 2 , Pages 408-414, February 2003

House dust mite allergen in US beds: Results from the first national survey of lead and allergens in housing☆☆☆

Portions of this work were presented at the 97th International Conference of the American Thoracic Society, May 2001.

Research Triangle Park and Durham, NC, Boston, Mass, and Washington, DC

From athe Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park; bAnalytical Sciences, Inc, Durham; cthe Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston; and dthe US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control, Washington

Received 20 June 2002; received in revised form 2 August 2002 and 28 August 2002; accepted 2 October 2002.

Abstract 

Background: Although exposure to house dust mite allergen is a major risk factor for allergic sensitization and asthma, nationwide estimates of dust mite allergen levels in US homes have not been reported. Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of dust mite allergen in beds of US homes and to identify predictors of dust mite allergen concentration. Methods: Data were obtained from the first National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing, a cross-sectional survey of 831 permanently occupied noninstitutional housing units that permitted resident children. Dust mite allergen concentration (Der f 1 plus Der p 1) was determined from a dust sample collected from a bed. The percentages of homes with concentrations at or greater than detection, 2.0 μg/g bed dust, and 10.0 μg/g bed dust were estimated. Independent predictors of allergen concentration were assessed with multivariable linear regression. Results: The percentages of US homes with dust mite allergen concentrations at or greater than detection, 2.0 μg/g, and 10.0 μg/g were 84.2% (SE, 1.73), 46.2% (SE, 2.0), and 24.2% (SE, 2.1), respectively. Independent predictors of higher levels were older homes, non-West census regions, single-family homes, no resident children, lower household income, heating sources other than forced air, musty or mildew odor, and higher bedroom humidity. Conclusion: Most US homes have detectable levels of dust mite allergen in a bed. Levels previously associated with allergic sensitization and asthma are common in US bedrooms. Predictors can be used to identify conditions under which homes are more likely to have increased dust mite allergen levels. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003;111:408-14.)

Keywords:  House dust mite allergen, indoor allergens, surveys, epidemiology

Abbreviations:  NIEHS , National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NSLAH I , First National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing, PSU , Primary sampling unit

 

☆ Supported by the NIEHS and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Additional support was provided by the National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities

☆☆ Reprint requests: Darryl C. Zeldin, MD, NIEHS/NIH, 111 Alexander Dr, Mail Drop D2-01, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.

PII: S0091-6749(02)91278-9

doi:10.1067/mai.2003.16

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume 111, Issue 2 , Pages 408-414, February 2003

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