https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2015.1089531

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Mold Populations and Dust Mite Allergen Concentrations in House Dust Samples From Across Puerto Rico

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2016

Abstract

Lifetime childhood asthma prevalence (LCAP) percentages in Puerto Rico Health Regions (HR) are substantially higher in northeastern vs. southwestern HR. Higher average relative humidity in the northeast might promote mold and mite exposures and possibly asthma prevalence. To test this hypothesis, mold contamination, Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) values were measured in floor dust (n = 26) and dust mite allergen concentrations in bed dust (n = 14). For this analysis, the eight HR were divided into those with LCAP > 30% (n = 3) and <   30% (n = 5). The average ERMI value was significantly greater (Wilcoxon Rank Sum, p < 0.001) in high than in low LCAP HR (14.5 vs. 9.3). The dust mite antigens Der p 1, Der f 1, and Blo t 5 were detected in 90% of bed samples, but the concentrations were not significantly different in high vs. low LCAP HR. Mold exposures might partially explain the differences in LCAP HR in Puerto Rico.

Publication

International Journal of Environmental Health Research

Publisher

Taylor and Francis

Volume

26

Issue

2

Pages

198–207

Department

College of Arts and Sciences

Peer Reviewed

1

Publication History

Received 23 Sep 2014, Accepted 17 Jul 2015, Published online: 28 Sep 2015

Comments

Publisher Copyright: © 2015, Taylor & Francis. All rights reserved.

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