Publication: Vacuum cleaning does not sufficiently reduce mite allergens from beddings
Issued Date
2002-08-01
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ISSN
01252208
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2-s2.0-11244270316
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. Vol.85, No.SUPPL. 2 (2002)
Suggested Citation
Pakit Vichyanond, Sirirut Ruengruk, Nualanong Visitsuntorn, Nat Malainual Vacuum cleaning does not sufficiently reduce mite allergens from beddings. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. Vol.85, No.SUPPL. 2 (2002). Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/20413
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Title
Vacuum cleaning does not sufficiently reduce mite allergens from beddings
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Abstract
Introduction: Conflicting results exist with regard to the efficacy of vacuum cleaners on the removal of mite allergens from bedding. Objectives: The authors prospectively compared a short term efficacy of two types of regular vacuum cleaners (National-N and Hoover-H) with a specialized cleaner (Vorwerk-V) in the removal of mite allergens from mattresses. Material and Method: Thirty-five dormitory beds with high mite allergen concentrations at the baseline period (month 0) were selected. They were matched into three groups according to group I mite allergen concentrations (N 11 beds, H 12 beds, V 12 beds). Vacuuming was performed on months 1 and 4 by the assigned vacuum cleaner in each group. Immediately after, mattresses were vacuumed by a reference cleaner (another National vacuum cleaner) at both months. Vacuuming was performed over the entire bed for 2 minutes/square meter. Group I mite allergens (sums of Der p I and Der f I) were measured; concentrations and total mite allergens removed by the tested cleaners as well as by the reference cleaner, at various time points, were compared. Results: Ability to remove mite allergens by vacuum cleaners depends on weight of dust removed and also on mite concentrations in the dust samples. Despite the fact that H and V appeared to remove higher mite allergens than N, such differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05), both at month 1, and 4. Surprisingly, mattress mite concentrations removed by both high capacity cleaner groups (V & H) increased at month 4, whereas, it remained unchanged in the third group (N). This increase led to a concomitant increase in total allergen removed by V and H. Nevertheless, remaining total allergens in the mattresses in V and H, as judged from the amount of allergens obtained by the reference cleaner, increased at month 1 and 4 compared to baseline values (p < 0.05), whereas, no change was observed in N. Conclusion: Although high capacity vacuum cleaners removed a large amount of mite allergens from mattresses, they did not sufficiently reduce mattress mite allergen burden as determined by the reference cleaner during this short term study.