The control of house dust mite allergens in rugs.
Used rugs were vacuum cleaned, "wet cleaned," "shampooed," or heated in an autoclave. The effects on the live-mite population, on the allergen (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Der p I and Der p II; and Dermatophagoides farinae, Der f II) content, and on the suitability of the rugs as a habitat for house dust mites was studied. Autoclaving was most effective in all three aspects. The cleaning methods were quite inefficient for killing the mites, but a significant reduction of allergens and deterioration of the habitat quality was established. "Wet cleaning" appears particularly promising.
de Boer
R
R
Department of Pure and Applied Ecology Section, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
D000485:Allergens; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D008925:Mites; D013983:Tick Control / Q000379:methods*
D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides