High-efficiency particulate arrest–filter vacuum cleaners increase personal cat allergen exposure in homes with cats

Gore, Robin; Durrell, B.; Bishop, Sophie; Curbishley, L.; Woodcock, Ashley; Čustović, Adnan

doi:10.1067/mai.2003.1378

Cited by 34 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…HEPA filter cleaners have been shown to effectively remove airborne allergens; however, these devices were also shown to be ineffective in facilitating asthma control [22]. Airborne allergen avoidance using a HEPA filter has been similarly investigated with inconclusive and sometimes contradictory results [22,23,24]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Conflicting reports have been published about the effects of chemical expedients, carpet fresheners, acaricides, and protein-denaturing agents [17,18,19,20,21]. Physical means such as high-efficiency particulate arrest (HEPA) filter vacuum cleaners [22,23,24] and ionizers [25,26,27,28] seem to be more suitable for combating airborne allergens, but their clinical benefit is debatable. Accordingly, a combination of valid means directed at different sites seems a desirable approach, while more appropriate ways to effectively decrease the allergenic activities of airborne allergens in our living environment remain to be developed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Decrease in the Allergenicity of Japanese Cedar Pollen Allergen by Treatment with Positive and Negative Cluster Ions

Kawamoto

Oshita

Fukuoka

et al. 2006

Int Arch Allergy Immunol

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Background: Japanese cedar pollinosis is a severe allergic disease in Japan. The most effective means of decreasing allergic inflammation reactions is still avoidance of the aeroallergen. Recently, a novel air purification system using positively and negatively charged cluster ions was developed to create comfortable living environments. We aimed to assess the ability of existing technology to lower allergenicity of Japanese cedar pollen. Methods: A Japanese cedar pollen extract was nebulized from the top of a cylindrical container with 2 or 4 ion-generating devices. The extract in a mist was passed through the space filled with or without plasma cluster ions for 90 s, and the ion-treated or nontreated extract was then collected in a Petri dish at the bottom of the container. Results: The ion-exposed extract was significantly diminished in its reactivities to anti-Cry j 1 or anti-Cry j 2 antiserum and to human allergic sera IgE on ELISA. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that ion exposure induced protein degradation in the pollen extract. Similarly, the ion treatment impaired about 80% of the binding to pooled sera IgE from patients allergic to Japanese cedar pollen on ELISA inhibition. Furthermore, intracutaneous and conjunctival reaction tests showed a remarkable diminution in the allergenicity of the ion-irradiated extract. Conclusion: Ion irradiation resulted in a remarkable decrease in in vitro and in vivo allergenicities of atomized Japanese cedar pollen extracts.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decrease in the Allergenicity of Japanese Cedar Pollen Allergen by Treatment with Positive and Negative Cluster Ions

Kawamoto

Oshita

Fukuoka

et al. 2006

Int Arch Allergy Immunol

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“…Interestingly, although the HEPA vacuum cleaners did not leak vacuumed allergen, both types of vacuums were associated with a three-to fi vefold increase in inhaled cat allergen levels. One explanation for the increased airborne level of allergen seen with HEPA vacuum use is that the cat allergen is likely being displaced from walls and other surfaces by the vacuum exhaust [37]. Another possibility is that the allergen is liberated from adjacent fl ooring through mechanical disturbance by the beating brush.…”

Section: Exposure Mitigationmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Modern vacuum cleaners are thought to be of improved design, which may help to minimize the leakage of vacuumed dust. Gore et al [37] compared older non-HEPA vacuum cleaners with new HEPA-equipped vacuum cleaners, using nasal sampling to examine the ability of each to reduce inhaled cat allergen. No significant difference was seen in inhaled allergen levels between the two types of vacuums.…”

Section: Exposure Mitigationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Home and school environmental assessment and remediation

Lupoli

Ciaccio²,

Portnoy³

2009

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep

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Children spend a considerable portion of their time indoors. Therefore, homes and schools are an important source of allergen exposure. Chronic exposure to the major indoor allergens can lead to allergic sensitization and provoke allergic symptoms in children. Environmental assessment is crucial for the identification and quantification of such allergens in indoor spaces. Reduction of allergen exposure below sensitization and symptom thresholds is possible with various remediation techniques. This article reviews and discusses evidence for the assessment and remediation of indoor allergens commonly found in homes and schools. A literature review was performed using the PubMed database for English-language articles published between January 1, 1980, and February 2009. Additional information was obtained from a review of recent textbooks and one professional society's webpage.

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“…General vacuumed air cleaners are used for preventing asthma and allergic disease (8). However, vacuum cleaners and the act of vacuuming can release and resuspend dust and allergens in the air, thereby leading to increased exposure (9,10). Allergenic and antigenic bacteria collected with dust by vacuums can also serve as reservoirs of infectious agents that remain in vacuum cleaners (11).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of the effects of essential oils on airborne bacteria in a customized bio-clean room

Yang

Koo

Hong

et al. 2012

Molecular Medicine Reports

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Essential oils have a sedative effect on stress, and are also known to have antibiotic and anti-carcinogenic effects. These compounds have long been used as natural microbial agents, and have recently been added to a number of pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic products. Controlling the exposure to allergens and pathogens are important factors for the treatment of allergy, and potentially reducing the risk of sensitization and infection. Low humidity, at levels under 35%, may affect human comfort and health during the winter. Patients and other individuals require optimal humidifica-tion to maintain a moisturized respiratory tract necessary for protecting against bacterial infection. We designed an analytical system to examine the effects of aromatherapeutic essential oils on airborne bacteria. The antibacterial activities of essential oils were assayed using agar plate air-sampling methods. A bacterial suspension was sprayed into a bio-clean room through the upper holes using a spray gun. Free-floating airborne bacteria were collected from the bio-clean room (blank) in blood agar plates for 10 sec using an air sampler. Three different concentrations of essential oils (0.0005, 0.005 and 0.05 ppm) were then sprayed into the bio-clean room for 5 min. Free-floating airborne bacteria were collected every 10 min for 10 sec each. Treatment with 0.0005 ppm essential oils inhibited the growth of colonies; this effect appeared to persist after 60 min. Decreased bacterial colony growth was more apparent in the presence of 0.005 ppm and 0.05 ppm essential oils than 0.0005 ppm. These effects were observed after 60 min compared to the control (distilled water). These results indicate that essential oils are able to inhibit the growth of airborne bacteria.

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High-efficiency particulate arrest–filter vacuum cleaners increase personal cat allergen exposure in homes with cats

Cited by 34 publications

References 15 publications

Decrease in the Allergenicity of Japanese Cedar Pollen Allergen by Treatment with Positive and Negative Cluster Ions

Decrease in the Allergenicity of Japanese Cedar Pollen Allergen by Treatment with Positive and Negative Cluster Ions

Home and school environmental assessment and remediation

Analysis of the effects of essential oils on airborne bacteria in a customized bio-clean room

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