TWO TYPES OF CARPET WITH REDUCED HOUSE DUST MITE PREVALENCE

摘要

Live mite and allergen levels were determined during autumn in "flock" carpets in 11 buildings in Melbourne, Australia. Mite levels in "traditional" carpets in adjacent rooms were also measured. Subsequently, the flock carpets were professionally cleaned and measurements were repeated. Flock carpets were found to support mite populations at levels of significance to asthmatics, but this was linked to the presence of traditional carpets inhabited by mites. Four buildings which contained only flock carpets exhibited very low mite levels. Cleaning did not remove mites or degrade allergen from flock carpets, but it removed 90% of allergen. In another study, samples of traditional wool carpet with and without a new method for applying permethrin were exposed in a residence for 15 months. Live mite levels were similar in the carpeted floor and untreated carpet, but were significantly lower in the treated carpet, showing it was less favourable for mite habitation.