POLLEN ALLERGEN CONCENTRATIONS IN A PRE-SCHOOL BUILDING AND A DAY-CARE CENTRE

摘要

This present paper focuses on pollen allergens in children's environments. A field study was conducted in one pre-school and one day-care centre. Concentrations of birch pollen allergens were measured simultaneously indoors and outdoors, using sampling pumps equipped with membrane filters. Analysis of the data was done by means of the ELISA method. The results showed that the allergen concentrations indoors were influenced by the indoor activity and ventilation. The indoor/outdoor pollen allergen concentration ratio was about twice as high with indoor activities and with the ventilation system on compared to the case without indoor activities and ventilation. The measurements showed a significant increase of indoor pollen allergen levels caused by the open windows, ventilation and indoor activities when the pollen concentration in the outdoor air was above 1 ng/m~3.