CAT, DOG, AND HOUSE-DUST-MITE ALLERGEN LEVELS OF HOUSE-DUST IN FINNISH APARTMENTS

The presence of indoor allergens in Finnish homes was studied for the first time. Dust samples (n=30) were collected by vacuuming a 1 m(2) a rea from a living-room carpet in 30 apartments divided into three grou ps: homes with cats (n=10), homes with dogs (n=10), and homes without pets (n=10). The levels of major cat (Fel d 1), dog (Can f 1), and hou se-dust-mite (Der p 1) allergens were analyzed by two-site ELISA metho ds. Der p 1 levels were below the detection limit in all dust samples. In the homes with cats or dogs, Fel d 1 and Can fl levels ranged from 147 to 2800 mu g/g (geometric mean 567 mu g/g), and from 86 to 1400 m u g/g (geometric mean 296 mu g/g), respectively, being slightly higher than those reported elsewhere. Low allergen levels, mainly below 3 mu g/g, were also detected in the homes without pets, indicating the tra nsfer of allergens from place to place. However, in 25% of these sampl es, allergen levels exceeded the proposed threshold levels for cat or dog sensitization. The presence of pets was the most significant facto r affecting cat and dog allergen levels in the house dust, and other f actors, such as the amount of dust collected, residential time, and cl eaning habits, had no or only a weak effect on allergen levels.