The effects of a newsletter on bedding control on house dust mite allergen concentrations in childcare centers in Korea

Abstract

ObjectivesBedding in childcare centers (CCCs) can hold house dust mite (HDM) allergens. This study examined whether HDM allergen levels can be reduced through the distribution of an educational newsletter on bedding control to parents of CCC children in Korea.MethodsAll 38 CCCs were measured for Der 1 (sum of Der f 1 and Der p 1) concentrations on classroom floors and bedding before the intervention. Educational newsletters on children’s bedding control were sent to 21 CCCs by mail, and teachers were asked to distribute the newsletters to the parents of the children (intervention group). The remaining 17 CCCs were not sent newsletters (control group). The measurement of Der 1 concentrations in 38 CCCs was repeated after the intervention. Dust samples were collected with a vacuum cleaner and analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods.ResultsThe Der 1 concentrations on the bedding were significantly higher than those on the floors in 38 CCCs at baseline (p<0.05). Although changes of the Der 1 concentrations for the control group (n=17) were not significant, Der 1 concentrations for the intervention group (n=21) decreased significantly from 2077.9 ng/g dust to 963.5 ng/g dust on the floors and from 3683.9 ng/g dust to 610.4 ng/g dust on bedding (p<0.05).ConclusionsThe distribution of educational newsletters on bedding control to parents may be an effective means of controlling HDMs in CCCs.

Pesticide, allergen, PCB, and lead measurements in childcare centers located on tribal lands in the Pacific Northwest, United States

“…Our reported study concentrations were less than the other reported measurements. When comparing the Der p 1 levels measured in our study with Der p 1 levels measured in international locations, our concentrations were comparable to the concentrations reported for childcare centers in parts of Europe, Oceania, and Asia (Poland (0.005–0.16 µg/g) [ 44 ], Sweden (<0.016–0.106 µg/g) [ 42 ], Germany (0.2 µg/g) [ 46 ], New Zealand (0.22 µg/g) [ 49 ], Singapore (0.3 µg/g) [ 35 ], and Korea (0.04 µg/g) [ 54 ]). For those locations where Der f 1 was measured, the results show that our reported concentrations (<0.012–0.09 µg/g) are comparable to concentrations reported for childcare centers in North Carolina (0.1 µg/g) [ 34 ], Germany (0.26 µg/g) [ 46 ], and Singapore (0.2 µg/g) [ 35 ] (Fig.…”