Abstract
ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to find out whether allergen and endotoxin concentrations in offices differ from those measured at the homes of employees, and identify the parameters that influence exposure.MethodsElectrostatic dust collectors (EDCs) were placed in five office buildings (68 rooms, 436 EDCs), as well as the homes of the office workers (145 rooms, 405 EDCs) for 14 days, four times a year. In addition, surface samples were collected from the offices four times a year by vacuuming the carpeted floors. Domestic mite (DM), and the major cat and dog allergens (Fel d 1 and Can f 1) were quantified in all samples using fluorescence enzyme immunoassays. Endotoxin was measured in the EDC samples, using the Limulus amoebocyte lysate assay. The allergen and endotoxin concentrations were log transformed and analysed with multilevel models.ResultsEndotoxin concentrations were significantly higher in personal homes compared to levels measured in the offices, and depended on the number of persons living in each household, as well as the presence of a dog. DM allergens were significantly higher in households than in offices, and were significantly higher in bedrooms compared to living rooms. Offices occupied by cat owners had significantly higher Fel d 1 concentrations than offices or homes without. Additionally, Can f 1 concentrations were significantly higher in offices occupied by dog owners compared to those without.ConclusionsPet owners appear to transfer cat and dog allergens to their offices. Therefore, in case of allergy complaints at the office, employers and physicians might consider possible contamination by cat and dog allergens.
Highlights
Allergies affect an increasing number of people, especially in industrialised countries, and allergy development is a growing concern at various workplaces
Cat and dust mite allergens were frequently detected in surface samples collected from US office buildings (Macher et al 2005), but house dust mite allergen levels were low in most cases, and only for a subgroup of office workers higher than 1 μg/g floor dust and related to work-related respiratory tract symptoms (Menzies et al 1998)
Endotoxin concentrations were significantly higher in summer compared to the other seasons (p < 0.0001); whereas, Domestic mite (DM) and Fel d 1 concentrations were highest in autumn, and Can f 1 concentrations significantly higher in winter compared to the other seasons (p < 0.0001–0.044)
Summary
Allergies affect an increasing number of people, especially in industrialised countries, and allergy development is a growing concern at various workplaces. Cat and dust mite allergens were frequently detected in surface samples collected from US office buildings (Macher et al 2005), but house dust mite allergen levels were low in most cases, and only for a subgroup of office workers higher than 1 μg/g floor dust and related to work-related respiratory tract symptoms (Menzies et al 1998). These studies all used surface dust samples for exposure assessment, which might be a poor correlate to concentrations in airborne samples. The aim of the study was to find out (1) whether the allergen and endotoxin in offices differ from those in the homes of employees, (2) identify parameters that influence the allergen and endotoxin concentrations in offices, and (3) the parameters influencing allergen and endotoxin concentrations in homes
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