SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF EXTERMINATION AND CLEANING ON COCKROACH ALLERGEN BLA-G-2 IN SETTLED DUST

Background: Although cockroach allergen is an important indoor allerge n in poor urban environments, no studies on the effectiveness of measu res to reduce allergen levels in indoor environments have yet been pub lished. Methods: As a model of home extermination, we studied cockroac h allergen levels in an urban dormitory that was chronically infested with German cockroaches and that underwent semiannual extermination. D ust samples were collected from 18 bedrooms and 5 kitchens located in the dormitory and were analyzed for Bla g 2 using an immunoassay. Resu lts: We detected allergen in almost every bedroom, with median levels ranging from 3.0 U/g (units/g) in settled dust on the bed, 4.0 U/g on the carpeted floor, and 2.8 U/g in closets. In the kitchen, we found s omewhat higher levels, 10.8 U/g on the floor and 2.8 U/g in floor cabi nets. Repeated measures of floor dust were similar (median 4.4 and 4.0 U/g) despite weekly vacuum cleaning. In the 2 weeks before exterminat ion, median levels were 5.2 U/g and in the 2 weeks following extermina tion and regular vacuuming, median levels fell to 0.95 U/g. Conclusion s: We concluded that successful allergen abatement could be accomplish ed in cockroach infested indoor environments using routine exterminati on and vacuuming.