Bedroom Exposure to Airborne Allergens in the Chicago Area Using a Patient-Operated Sampling Device

Publication date: Available online 1 June 2018
Source:Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
Author(s): Julian Gordon, Paul Detjen, Sai Nimmagadda, Laura Rogers, Sanjay Patel, James Thompson, Rachel Reboulet, Prasanthi Gandhi
Background: In current practice, allergens in vacuum collected dust are used as surrogates for inhalable allergens. We developed an airsampling device that can be used by patients themselves for direct measurement of airborne allergen concentrations in their own homes.Objective: To demonstrate the use of this device to establish allergen concentration reference ranges in a target population. To evaluate relationships of patient-reported information to measured allergen concentrations.Methods: Patients from 5 allergist's practices in the Chicagoland region were provided with instructions, questionnaire, informed consent forms and samplers to run for 5 days in their bedrooms. Samples were collected from cartridges and assayed by multiplex immunoassays for 12 common household allergens and ELISA for ragweed.Results: Unique allergen profiles were obtained for 102 patient homes. Samples with allergen concentrations above the limit of detection were: total dust mite: 28%; cat, 61%; dog, 64%; mouse, 12%; rat, 0%; cockroach, 4%; Alternaria, 6%; Aspergillus, 21%; birch pollen 1%; grass, 8%; ragweed, 5%. Of those, 75 completed questionnaires, providing meta-data for further analysis. Pet allergens correlated significantly with number of pets owned. Humidity correlated with dust mite allergens, open windows with Alternaria and mouse allergens, HEPA filter use with reduced levels of several allergens. Many other variables showed no significant correlations.Conclusion: The combination of ease of use, high air sampling rate and sensitive immunoassays permitted the measurement of airborne allergens concentrations in homes and establishment of reference ranges. Patientreported information permitted identification of factors that could relate to allergen concentrations and suggest remedial measures.



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