Associations of home characteristics with levels of ergosterol and endotoxin in bed dust in low-income multi-family housing

摘要

We examined associations between home characteristics (HCs) and levels of ergosterol and endotoxin in homes. We visited 94 homes in two cities repeatedly over one year. We vacuumed dust from the beds of children and mothers and administered HC questionnaires to residents. We used generalized linear models with a building as a cluster nested in a city. Dog ownership was positively associated with both microbial measurements; however, cat ownership had no effect on them. Water damage was not associated with ergosterol levels in either city, but positively associated with endotoxin in Boston. Wet mopping by pouring cleaning water on floor was significantly associated with decreased ergosterol levels in Cincinnati, but increased endotoxin levels in Boston. Regional differences might influence the associations between HCs and microbial levels, implying that HCs may not be always good surrogate measures for assessing microbial exposures in specific locations within homes such as beds.