Design: A descriptive design was used for this study.
Sample and Setting: The sample included 20 mother-baby pairs in two rural states. During the same home visit when infant urine samples were collected, dust samples were obtained from the room that was primarily used by the children.
Method: Dust samples were collected from each home from the family room area (both couch and floor) using a vacuum cleaner equipped with a filter (MITEST collector). The specimen containers were individually sealed in a small zip-lock bag. All samples were then sent via parcel post to EMSL Analytical, Inc. for allergen analysis.
Findings: Samples revealed evidence of some of the indoor air allergens (cat, dog and mouse). However, there was no evidence of cockroach or dust mites in the dust samples. It is not known whether these air allergens were absent from the samples or whether this particular lab was unable to detect them.
Conclusions: This method of dust sample collection may be appropriate to detect some air allergens, but one of the most important air allergens associated with asthma in children, dust mites, was not detected by this collection system.
Implications: Further analyses may be needed to determine if critical aeroallergens can be accurately collected using the protocol developed for this study.
___________________________________________________________ NIH/NINR, (1P20NR07790-01)NIH/NINR, Center for Research on Chronic Health Conditions in Rural Dwellers, Montana State University-Bozeman, College of Nursing.