Synthetic pillows contain higher levels of cat and dog allergen than feather pillows

The use of non-feather pillows has increased over the last few decades. Rec ently, we found significantly higher levels of dust mite allergens in synth etic pillows than in feather ones. This study investigated the levels of pe t allergens in feather and synthetic pillows. Dust samples were collected f rom 14 pairs of pillows (consisting of one synthetic fibre-filled and one f eather-filled). Each pair of pillows had been on the same bed for at least 2 years. The pillows were vacuumed for 1 min on each side through a 355-mu m diameter mesh onto a 5-mu m vinyl filter, producing a sample of fine dust . Samples were extracted, and cat (Fel d 1) and dog (Can f 1) allergens det ermined using monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA). Results were expressed both as total amount of allergen recovered a nd concentration of allergen per unit weight (ng/g). Total levels of pet al lergens were significantly higher in the synthetic pillows (Fel d 1: 6.7-fo ld difference [95% CI 1.5-29.7], p=0.01; Can f 1: 8-fold difference [95% CI 1.6-39.5], p=0.01). Similarly, when the results were expressed as ng/g, sy nthetic pillows contained significantly more allergens than feather pillows (Fel d 1: 3.7-fold difference [95% CI 1.3-10.1], p=0.01); Can f 1: 4.4-fol d difference [95% CI 1.5-13.2], p=0.01). We have therefore demonstrated tha t synthetic pillows contain significantly more pet allergens than feather p illows, supporting the view that tightly woven encasements surrounding feat her pillows act as a barrier for allergens.