Effect of air filtration on house dust mite, cat and dog allergens and particulate matter in homes

Abstract

Background Indoor allergens (i.e. from mite, cat and dog) are carried by airborne particulate matter. Thus, removal of particles would reduce allergen exposure. This work aims to assess the performance of air filtration on particulate matter and thus allergen removal in 22 bedrooms. Methods Indoor air was sampled (with and without air filtration) with a cascade impactor and allergens were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Particulate matter (including ultrafine particles) was also monitored. Results The median of allergen reduction was 75.2% for Der f 1 (p < 0.001, n = 20), 65.5% for Der p 1 (p = 0.066, n = 4), 76.6% for Fel d 1 (p < 0.01, n = 21) and 89.3% for Can f 1 (p < 0.01, n = 10). For size fractions, reductions were statistically significant for Der f 1 (all p < 0.001), Can f 1 (PM>10 and PM2.5–10, p < 0.01) and Fel d 1 (PM2.5–10, p < 0.01), but not for Der p 1 (all p > 0.05). PM was reduced in all fractions (p < 0.001). The allergens were found in all particle size fractions, higher mite allergens in the PM>10 and for pet allergens in the PM2.5–10. Conclusions Air filtration was effective in removing mites, cat and dog allergens and also particulate matter from ambient indoor air, offering a fast and simple solution to mitigate allergen exposome.

Effectiveness of Air Filters in Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Notably, exposure to particulate matter (PM) may exacerbate the immune response to allergens, thereby resulting in severe nasal symptoms in individuals with AR, particularly in those residing in areas with elevated levels of air pollution [40,41]. Air filters help reduce allergen exposure by effectively regulating the levels of pollens, HDMs, pet allergens, and PM in indoor environments [42,43] and thus alleviate inflammation reactions and ameliorate AR symptoms [15].…”

“…The efficacy of an air filter depends on the balance between filtration efficiency, airflow, and dust-holding capacity [54]. Regarding filtration efficiency, HEPA filters can reduce allergen concentrations by approximately 65%-90% [43,55]. In terms of airflow, an increased airflow rate is more strongly associated with reduced concentrations of cat, dust, and mite allergens than an increased filtration efficiency [56].…”

Tierallergie

“…Katzenallergen liegt meist in besonders kleinen, volatilen Teilchen vor und ist daher oft im fliegenden Staubanteil zu finden. Durch Luftreiniger mit HEPA-Filter ist eine effektive Reduktion des Allergengehaltes in Innenräumen möglich [12].…”

The holo beta‐lactoglobulin lozenge reduces symptoms in cat allergy—Evaluation in an allergen exposure chamber and by titrated nasal allergen challenge

“…An additional approach is targeting the cat itself: washing the cat and drying with detergents, 17 as well as the application of modern air filters in houses with cats 11 provides some effect, but comes with practical limitations, and most importantly, has no sustained effect. A disruptive Swiss concept is the vaccination of the cat against Fel d 1 using a modern virus‐like particle technology, in order to introduce neutralizing anti‐Fel d 1 antibodies in the cat, which in return reduce the load of secreted allergen 18 .…”

“…But not only cat owners are at risk; a large number of cat allergy sufferers have developed hypersensitivity without ever having a cat at home. The wide spread of the cat allergen in the public and its persistence and small particle size (PM 2.5‐10 ) 11 providing ability to reach lower airways cause this phenomenon.…”