- Email: [email protected]
Persistency of Pollens entered Into Homes
66
The Mass of Cat Dander Aerosolized is a Good Predictor of the Real-Time Airborne Fel d 1 Concentration in an Environmental Exposure Chamber (EEC). D. Wilson, N. Camuso, A. Salapatek; Cetero Research, Mississauga, ON, CANADA. RATIONALE: Currently, the only method for a quantitative measure of airborne allergen level in an Environmental Exposure Chamber (EEC) is by ELISA. However, it is not a real-time measure. This study examines whether the grams of cat dander aerosolized per hour in the EEC correlate with airborne Fel d 1 concentration measured by ELISA. If so, mass of cat dander aerosolized could be used as a real-time estimate of airborne Fel d 1 allergen in the EEC. METHODS: After aerosolizing raw cat dander, airborne Fel d 1 concentration was measured in air samples using ELISA. The correlation between Fel d 1 allergen concentration and grams of cat dander aerosolized per hour was assessed by Spearman Correlation analyses. These analyses were performed on data collected from greater than 80 daily EEC sessions, totaling more than 400 EEC hours. RESULTS: Average airborne Fel d 1 concentration for all sessions was 50.2 6 2.25 (SE) ng/m3. Fel d 1 concentration was highly correlated with grams of cat dander aerosolized per hour with a correlation coefficient of 0.78. CONCLUSIONS: Airborne Fel d 1 concentration is highly correlated with the mass of cat dander aerosolized per hour. The rate (grams per hour) of cat dander aerosolized can be used as a real-time estimate for predicting the Fel d 1 levels in the EEC and to ensure controlled and safe exposure for cat allergic patients.
67
Validation Of A Model of Juniperus asheii (Mountain Cedar) Pollen Allergy In The Biogenics Research Chamber R. L. Jacobs, D. A. Ramirez, C. P. Andrews; Biogenics Research Chamber, San Antonio, TX. RATIONALE: To develop a controlled model of allergy to Juniperus asheii pollen, an antigen not previously utilized in chamber studies. METHODS: Our chambers are constructed with clean room materials and provide single-pass chilled outside air with powered diffusers and exhausts to maintain laminar flow with equalization of pollen delivery. Temperature and humidity are maintained at capacity. The chambers are 10846 and 6655 ft3 and seat 50 and 25 subjects, respectively. Over a 5 hours, thirty-eight Juniperus asheii sensitized subjects and 11 negative controls were exposed to a sham run and increasing concentrations of pollen. Symptoms and pollen counts were recorded at 30 minute intervals. RESULTS: After the sham run, pollen counts ranged from 1300 to11,500 counts/m3. Counts taken at five stations at 30 minute intervals were consistent. No subjects responded during the sham run. Sensitized subjects responded in increasing numbers and with progressive symptoms with increasing pollen levels. Two non-sensitized controls experienced lowlevel symptoms at high pollen counts. There were no severe adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: This was the first utilization of Juniperus asheii as an antigen in an environmental chamber. With this pollen, the chamber functioned within anticipated parameters. Subjects did not respond to a sham run. Allergic subjects required higher levels of pollen exposure than average natural exposure. Some non-sensitive subjects experienced minimal symptoms at higher pollen levels.
68
A Material Prediction Approach for Improving Indoor Air Quality M. L. Spartz, R. S. Fike, A. E. Delia; Prism Analytical Technologies, Inc., Mt. Pleasant, MI. RATIONALE: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are known to increase acute asthmatic events. The prediction of their source will provide a process for improving home air quality. METHODS: Diagnostic tests to determine home VOCs levels have been nonexistent or expensive and difficult to deploy. Technological advances now allow for low cost VOC monitoring, VOC source prediction and hidden mold detection (MVOCs) in a home with a single test. This thermal desorption tube gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technology followed by a multivariate prediction has the ability to determine VOC levels and then provide the information necessary to reduce these levels and potentially reduce chemically induced asthmatic episodes. RESULTS: The median Total VOC (TVOC) level in homes tested with this new air testing technology is 1,200 ng/L. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recommends that homes are below 500 ng/L. Only 17.5% of homes tested with this technology have been below this level, with some well above 10,000 ng/L. While at home, one asthmatic client was having daily asthma exacerbations. His home TVOC level was determined to be 1,800 ng/L, not an extreme level. The report predicted the VOC source correctly (kerosene), the source was removed and the TVOC level on subsequent testing was reduced to 800 ng/L. His acute asthma episodes decreased from daily to weekly. CONCLUSION: Low cost home air testing technologies that can predict chemical sources could assist physicians and patients in developing a simple plan to improve their air quality and potentially improve their quality of life.
69
Persistency of Pollens entered Into Homes D. A. Charpin1, M. Calleja2, C. Pichot3; 1Assistance publiqueH^opitaux de Marseille, Marseille, FRANCE, 2Supagro, I.N.R.A., Montpellier, FRANCE, 3I.N.R.A., Avignon, FRANCE. RATIONALE: The occurrence of pollen inside homes has already been described. However, the kinetic of pollen penetration and persistency over time is poorly documented. METHODS: Dust sampling was performed in 5 homes located in the same neighborhood. Sampling was done on 4 occasions over a 6-month time period. Fine dust was collected using a vacuum-cleaner. Pollens were identified under light microscopy and results expressed as number of pollen grains per mg of dust collected. Results were compared to those obtained using a gravimetric pollen trap. RESULTS: Pollen counts collected by the outdoor trap and those counted on house-dust samples had a very similar kinetic but pollen species could be identified on house-dust samples far beyond the pollen season. CONCLUSIONS: Various pollen species can be identified on house-dust samples. Their kinetic is parallel to the one of outdoor pollens. However, indoor pollens can be identified on house-dust samples far beyond the pollen season and are likely to induce sustained symptoms in sensitized patients.
SATURDAY
Abstracts AB21
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL VOLUME 127, NUMBER 2
The Mass of Cat Dander Aerosolized is a Good Predictor of the Real-Time Airborne Fel d 1 Concentration in an Environmental Exposure Chamber (EEC). D. Wilson, N. Camuso, A. Salapatek; Cetero Research, Mississauga, ON, CANADA. RATIONALE: Currently, the only method for a quantitative measure of airborne allergen level in an Environmental Exposure Chamber (EEC) is by ELISA. However, it is not a real-time measure. This study examines whether the grams of cat dander aerosolized per hour in the EEC correlate with airborne Fel d 1 concentration measured by ELISA. If so, mass of cat dander aerosolized could be used as a real-time estimate of airborne Fel d 1 allergen in the EEC. METHODS: After aerosolizing raw cat dander, airborne Fel d 1 concentration was measured in air samples using ELISA. The correlation between Fel d 1 allergen concentration and grams of cat dander aerosolized per hour was assessed by Spearman Correlation analyses. These analyses were performed on data collected from greater than 80 daily EEC sessions, totaling more than 400 EEC hours. RESULTS: Average airborne Fel d 1 concentration for all sessions was 50.2 6 2.25 (SE) ng/m3. Fel d 1 concentration was highly correlated with grams of cat dander aerosolized per hour with a correlation coefficient of 0.78. CONCLUSIONS: Airborne Fel d 1 concentration is highly correlated with the mass of cat dander aerosolized per hour. The rate (grams per hour) of cat dander aerosolized can be used as a real-time estimate for predicting the Fel d 1 levels in the EEC and to ensure controlled and safe exposure for cat allergic patients.
67
Validation Of A Model of Juniperus asheii (Mountain Cedar) Pollen Allergy In The Biogenics Research Chamber R. L. Jacobs, D. A. Ramirez, C. P. Andrews; Biogenics Research Chamber, San Antonio, TX. RATIONALE: To develop a controlled model of allergy to Juniperus asheii pollen, an antigen not previously utilized in chamber studies. METHODS: Our chambers are constructed with clean room materials and provide single-pass chilled outside air with powered diffusers and exhausts to maintain laminar flow with equalization of pollen delivery. Temperature and humidity are maintained at capacity. The chambers are 10846 and 6655 ft3 and seat 50 and 25 subjects, respectively. Over a 5 hours, thirty-eight Juniperus asheii sensitized subjects and 11 negative controls were exposed to a sham run and increasing concentrations of pollen. Symptoms and pollen counts were recorded at 30 minute intervals. RESULTS: After the sham run, pollen counts ranged from 1300 to11,500 counts/m3. Counts taken at five stations at 30 minute intervals were consistent. No subjects responded during the sham run. Sensitized subjects responded in increasing numbers and with progressive symptoms with increasing pollen levels. Two non-sensitized controls experienced lowlevel symptoms at high pollen counts. There were no severe adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: This was the first utilization of Juniperus asheii as an antigen in an environmental chamber. With this pollen, the chamber functioned within anticipated parameters. Subjects did not respond to a sham run. Allergic subjects required higher levels of pollen exposure than average natural exposure. Some non-sensitive subjects experienced minimal symptoms at higher pollen levels.
68
A Material Prediction Approach for Improving Indoor Air Quality M. L. Spartz, R. S. Fike, A. E. Delia; Prism Analytical Technologies, Inc., Mt. Pleasant, MI. RATIONALE: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are known to increase acute asthmatic events. The prediction of their source will provide a process for improving home air quality. METHODS: Diagnostic tests to determine home VOCs levels have been nonexistent or expensive and difficult to deploy. Technological advances now allow for low cost VOC monitoring, VOC source prediction and hidden mold detection (MVOCs) in a home with a single test. This thermal desorption tube gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technology followed by a multivariate prediction has the ability to determine VOC levels and then provide the information necessary to reduce these levels and potentially reduce chemically induced asthmatic episodes. RESULTS: The median Total VOC (TVOC) level in homes tested with this new air testing technology is 1,200 ng/L. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recommends that homes are below 500 ng/L. Only 17.5% of homes tested with this technology have been below this level, with some well above 10,000 ng/L. While at home, one asthmatic client was having daily asthma exacerbations. His home TVOC level was determined to be 1,800 ng/L, not an extreme level. The report predicted the VOC source correctly (kerosene), the source was removed and the TVOC level on subsequent testing was reduced to 800 ng/L. His acute asthma episodes decreased from daily to weekly. CONCLUSION: Low cost home air testing technologies that can predict chemical sources could assist physicians and patients in developing a simple plan to improve their air quality and potentially improve their quality of life.
69
Persistency of Pollens entered Into Homes D. A. Charpin1, M. Calleja2, C. Pichot3; 1Assistance publiqueH^opitaux de Marseille, Marseille, FRANCE, 2Supagro, I.N.R.A., Montpellier, FRANCE, 3I.N.R.A., Avignon, FRANCE. RATIONALE: The occurrence of pollen inside homes has already been described. However, the kinetic of pollen penetration and persistency over time is poorly documented. METHODS: Dust sampling was performed in 5 homes located in the same neighborhood. Sampling was done on 4 occasions over a 6-month time period. Fine dust was collected using a vacuum-cleaner. Pollens were identified under light microscopy and results expressed as number of pollen grains per mg of dust collected. Results were compared to those obtained using a gravimetric pollen trap. RESULTS: Pollen counts collected by the outdoor trap and those counted on house-dust samples had a very similar kinetic but pollen species could be identified on house-dust samples far beyond the pollen season. CONCLUSIONS: Various pollen species can be identified on house-dust samples. Their kinetic is parallel to the one of outdoor pollens. However, indoor pollens can be identified on house-dust samples far beyond the pollen season and are likely to induce sustained symptoms in sensitized patients.
SATURDAY
Abstracts AB21
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL VOLUME 127, NUMBER 2