Dust Mites
Dust mites multiply in a damp environment
From
the World Health Organization in its report WHO Guidelines for Indoor
Air Quality: Dampness and Mould, published July 16, 2009
[There is a]
close association between damp indoor environments and dust. The reader is
referred to the report of the Institute of Medicine (2000) on house dampness
and asthma for a more detailed overview of the literature on the
associations between indoor damp, house dust mite allergens and asthma.
House dust mites are arachnids, and many different species have
been identified; however, only a few are of
concern with respect to damp indoor environments. The natural food source of
house-dust mites includes skin scales, although many other sources may be
used.
Therefore, in most houses, nutrition is abundantly available, particularly
in mattresses and carpets or rugs. Laboratory studies have shown that most
dust mites require a relative humidity in excess of 45–50% for survival and
development, but they feed and multiply more rapidly at higher relative
humidity (Arlian, 1992). Indoor humidity is therefore the main influence on
the presence and propagation of house dust mites, as confirmed in several
field studies (van Strien et al., 1994; de Andrade et al., 1995; Simpson et
al., 2002; van Strien et al., 2004; Zock et al., 2006). Damp houses
therefore significantly increase exposure to dust-mite allergens, at least
in populations living in mild and temperate climates.
Dust mites are in every home
Dust mites (Figure 1) are microscopic animals that are found in every
home. They survive by consuming dead skin cells. They can be powerful
triggers for asthma and allergies. Dust mites live in mattresses, pillows,
carpets, fabric-covered furniture, bedcovers, clothes, and stuffed toys.
Body parts and feces of dust mites can be asthma triggers. To protect
members of the household from dust mites:
- Wash sheets and blankets once a week in hot water.
- Choose washable stuffed toys, wash them often in hot water, and dry
thoroughly. Keep stuffed toys off beds.
- Cover mattresses and pillows in dust-proof (allergen-impermeable)
zippered covers.
- Maintain low indoor humidity.
Figure 1. Dust mite.
Source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Dust Mite Detection Kit
Photograph of a Dust Mite
People with asthma and allergies can help to free themselves from the
symptoms triggered by house dust mites with the availability of new
ActivAllergy Mite Alert - a simple and accurate house dust mite allergen
detection system which is available from the Professional Certification
Institute for purchase by PCI Certified Environmental Hygienists.
One in
four people in the UK now suffer from allergies - this is increasing by 5% a
year, and one in eight people have asthma. The incidence of both these
conditions continues to rise and the symptoms of both can be incredibly
debilitating, but did you know...
"85% of asthma attacks are triggered by house dust mite allergens"
Many people with year round allergy and respiratory problems, including
rhinitis and asthma, are allergic to house dust mites and their faeces.
These microscopic creatures live in their millions in the warm and humid
environments of our modern centrally heated homes and offices, thriving in
particular in bedding, carpets and soft furnishings, feeding off flakes of
human skin.
Up until now, knowing exactly where there are higher levels of dust mites
in the home has been a problem for allergy and asthma sufferers. But with
the launch of new ActivAllergy Mite-Alert, sufferers can now identify the
'problem areas' in their homes and offices, and deal with the specific areas
with minimal time, effort and cost.
The ActivAllergy Mite-Alert monitoring system uses a simple three step
process to quickly and accurately analyse different areas of the home or
workplace. The result is provided within ten minutes, without the need to
prepare or touch any chemicals, as the high tech sealed cassettes is
extremely easy to use.
The dust sample is collected by vacuuming the test area; for example a
specific mattress, carpet, cushion or pet bed, for approximately 30 seconds.
Once the test cassette is full, the technologically advanced sealed unit is
removed from the small vacuum and the specially prepared chemical solution
is released into the collected dust sample. The chemicals within the
solution then react with the dust sample to measure the quantity of house
dust mite allergens present and give a result within ten minutes indicating
a high or low prevalence of house dust mite allergens in that area (a colour
will develop in the control window to indicate the result).
Muriel Simmons, Chief Executive of Allergy UK says: "Identifying the
prevalence of house dust mites in the home has always been a problem. We
welcome this new test, which will help people identify problem areas in
their home or workplace so they can take preventative action without going
to the unnecessary inconvenience and expense of completely changing their
living or working environment. For example, it may not be necessary to
remove all carpeting, it could be just the cushions on the sofa which are
infested and need removing. We believe ActivAllergy Mite-Alert will help
many people to improve their allergic condition by reducing their exposure
to house dust mites." |
