How clean is your house? A study of house dust mites, allergens and other contents of dust samples collected from households

ABSTRACT

Household dust contains an array of constituents, including house dust mites (HDM) and the HDM allergen, Der p 1, which can cause sensitivities such as asthma and eczema. Vacuuming can help alleviate symptoms, yet little is understood about cleaning behaviour in different households. This pilot study investigated the contents of dust from four household types (students; over 65 s; and families with and without pets). This was then related to cleaning behaviours and perceptions of cleanliness. Our investigation found that HDMs and Der p 1 were present in all households and sampling locations, including participants’ cars. The median Der p 1 was greatest in the living room, though results varied. Demographic group was a determinant for the number of human and pet hairs present in dust. Surprisingly, vacuuming was the most disliked task overall. This information requires consideration when developing cleaning products and advising individuals with dust-related health issues.

KEYWORDS:

• House dust mite
• household cleaning behaviour
• dust sample collection
• hygiene survey
• Der p 1 allergen

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Dyson Limited [O].

Notes on contributors

Lucy S. Casley

Lucy Casley was previously the Study Coordinator at ARCTEC. Her background and training was in forensic entomology. She is now the BASIL-2 Trial Co-ordinator within the Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit (BCTU).

Tom Godec

Tom Godec is a Research Fellow in the Department of Medical Statistics, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

James G. Logan

James G. Logan is the Head of the Department of Disease Control and Director of the Arthropod Control Product Test Centre (ARCTEC). He is Principal Investigator of a large research portfolio investigating novel ways to control arthropod vectors that transmit pathogens of medical importance, including Zika, malaria and dengue. James is the United Kingdom’s leading expert on insect repellents and methods of personal protection against arthropod vectors. Through chemical ecology studies, his research group explores the complex interaction between arthropod vectors, vertebrate hosts and pathogens at the behavioural, olfactory and molecular level. The Logan group also investigates the mode of action of new (and current) monitoring and control technologies for arthropods, using in-house state-of-the-art experimental equipment including electroantennography, single sensillum recording, gas chromatography, RT-PCR and behavioural olfactometry as well as Category 3 facilities which allow complex malaria infection studies with Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes and Plasmodium falciparum parasites. The ARCTEC laboratories, and well-stocked insectaries, house excellent facilities for the development and high-throughput evaluation of arthropod-related products and technologies for pest and vector control. James and his team are Good Clinical Practice-trained and highly practiced in coordinating clinical trials on commercial products including repellents, after-bite treatments and head lice treatments. James began his career with a first class BSc honours degree in Zoology from the University of Aberdeen in 2001 and an award-winning PhD in 2005. He then led a research group at Rothamsted Research, as Senior Postdoctoral Research Scientist, within the Chemical Ecology Programme, before joining the School.

James C. Pearce

James C. Pearce is a Research Assistant at ARCTEC, which involves the day-to-day management of the insectaries and conducting both clinical and non-clinical trials in our various testing facilities. He graduated from the University of Bristol in 2011 with a degree in Biological Sciences.

Hugh M. P. Smith

Hugh was previously a Research Assistant at ARCTEC. He joined ARCTECin 2015 after being employed by Rentokil as a pest control technician. He is currently employed by Royal Parks.

Sophie A. Stewart

Sophie is a Senior Scientist and Clinical Projects Manager for ARCTEC. She joined in 2012 and as a member of Senior Management, she is responsible for implementing quality systems in project oversight and ensuring that as a team, we work effectively together to achieve excellent research.

She has over 11 years of experience in entomology, with a PhD from Imperial College London in plant-insect interactions.

Sarah Y. Dewhirst

Sarah has over 17 years’ experience in entomological and chemical ecology research. After completing a Bachelors degree (2:1) at Birmingham University in Biological Sciences and an MSc at the University of Bath, I obtained a PhD at Imperial College, London in chemical ecology whilst working at Rothamsted Research. She has worked at ARCTEC since 2014, where she is employed as a Senior Research Scientist and Projects Manager.