1989 Volume 38 Issue 10 Pages 1142-1149
We collected airborne particle from indoor air by using a high-volume air sampler, and measured mite allergens in the air-filter extract by use of RAST inhibition assay. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The assay revealed the presence of house dust mite allergen in the indoor air varying from 690 to 129000 pg/m^3. 2) In apartments, seasonal fluctuations of house dust mite allergen in the indoor air demonstrated a peak in autumn (September and October), and showed a tendency to increase in spring. In our outpatient clinic, the quantity of house dust mite allergen in the indoor air varied from 690 to 5670 pg/m^3, while there were few mites on the floor, and showed a tendency to increase in winter. 3) There was a significant correlation between the quantity of house dust mite allergen in the indoor air and the number of mite in house dust (r=0.535, p<0.01). 4) The amount of D.f. allergen in the indoor air was significantly decreased by using air cleaners (p<0.005). These results showed that the quantification of house dust mite allergen was useful from the clinical point of view as a parameter of mite pollution indoors, and it was important for asthmatics to live in clean environment, and to decrease the number of mites in house dust.
