Our asthma research program involves both exposure assessment and prevention components, and focuses on the relationship between exposure to common indoor allergens and asthma prevalence/morbidity. The National Allergen Survey, a descriptive study of allergen types and levels in floor and bedding dust in the nation's housing, is the first study to provide estimates of allergen exposure in the U.S. population. It encompasses 831 homes in 75 primary sampling units located throughout the country. The major endpoints are measurements of dust mite, cockroach, cat, dog, mouse, rat and fungal allergen levels, and endotoxin in dust samples collected from an array of sites in the surveyed homes. Results from analysis of dust mite allergens suggest that approximately 24% of U.S. homes have beds that contain >10 microgram dust mite allergen/gram dust (a level previously associated with symptomatic asthma) and approximately 46% of U.S. homes have beds that contain >2 microgram dust mite allergen/gram dust (a level previously associated with mite allergen sensitization). The likelihood of having a high dust mite allergen level in the bed was greater for older homes, non-western region homes, lower income households and bedrooms with higher humidity. Detectable cockroach allergen is present in approximately 6% of U.S. homes. The likelihood of having a high bed cockroach allergen levels was greater for lower income households, homes with evidence of moisture, and homes with evidence of food debris. This nationally representative survey will (a) provide current estimates of indoor allergen exposure in the U.S. population, (b) establish a database that can be used to stimulate future studies which attempt to correlate allergen exposure to disease outcome, (c) provide a baseline that can be used as a reference point for future allergen surveys, and (d) facilitate evaluation of regional, ethnic, socioeconomic, and housing characteristic differences in the allergen burden. We have also completed a randomized clinical trial to test the feasibility/effectiveness of environmental interventions in reducing dust mite and cockroach allergen levels in inner-city North Carolina and Boston homes. Preliminary data demonstrates that the combination of cockroach extermination and intensive cleaning can significantly reduce cockroach allergen levels in highly infested homes. Moreover, the effect can be maintained for up to 6 months with continued extermination/cleaning. We have also demonstrated that steam cleaning combined with chemical treatments can significantly reduce dust mite allergen levels in carpeting. The results of these studies will be used to design a primary prevention trial to determine if environmental intervention aimed at reducing indoor allergen levels in homes can prevent sensitization and decrease the prevalence of asthma in high risk children.
| Salo, Paivi M; Cohn, Richard D; Zeldin, Darryl C (2018) Bedroom Allergen Exposure Beyond House Dust Mites. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 18:52 |
| Salo, Päivi M; Wilkerson, Jesse; Rose, Kathryn M et al. (2018) Bedroom allergen exposures in US households. J Allergy Clin Immunol 141:1870-1879.e14 |
| Cloutier, Michelle M; Salo, Paivi M; Akinbami, Lara J et al. (2018) Clinician Agreement, Self-Efficacy, and Adherence with the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 6:886-894.e4 |
| Mendy, Angelico; Salo, Päivi M; Cohn, Richard D et al. (2018) House Dust Endotoxin Association with Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema. Environ Health Perspect 126:037007 |
| Mendy, Angelico; Wilkerson, Jesse; Salo, P?ivi M et al. (2018) Endotoxin predictors and associated respiratory outcomes differ with climate regions in the U.S. Environ Int 112:218-226 |
| Gergen, Peter J; Mitchell, Herman E; Calatroni, Agustin et al. (2018) Sensitization and Exposure to Pets: The Effect on Asthma Morbidity in the US Population. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 6:101-107.e2 |
| Hoppin, Jane A; Umbach, David M; Long, Stuart et al. (2017) Pesticides are Associated with Allergic and Non-Allergic Wheeze among Male Farmers. Environ Health Perspect 125:535-543 |
| Fessler, Michael B; Carnes, Megan U; Salo, Päivi M et al. (2017) House Dust Endotoxin and Peripheral Leukocyte Counts: Results from Two Large Epidemiologic Studies. Environ Health Perspect 125:057010 |
| Winn, Amber K; Salo, Päivi M; Klein, Cynthia et al. (2016) Efficacy of an in-home test kit in reducing dust mite allergen levels: results of a randomized controlled pilot study. J Asthma 53:133-8 |
| McGowan, Emily C; Peng, Roger D; Salo, Päivi M et al. (2016) Changes in Food-Specific IgE Over Time in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 4:713-20 |
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