title: Optimal conditions for the removal of house dust mite, dog dander, and pollen allergens using mechanical laundry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mechanical laundry is an effective tool for the environmental control of allergens, but the optimal conditions for removing allergens are not yet clear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the optimal conditions of mechanical laundry for the removal of house dust mite (HDM), dog dander, and pollen allergens.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 4 washing modes of 30 degrees C (86 degrees F), 40 degrees C (104 degrees F), 60 degrees C (140 degrees F), and steam water (SW) with detergent were evaluated. Allergen removal performance was assayed using a 2-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or an ELISA inhibition test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using the 30 degrees C and 40 degrees C washing modes, only 6.5% and 9.6% of Dermatophagoides farinae, respectively, were killed. However, using the 60 degrees C and SW washing modes, all HDMs were killed. The amounts of Der f 1 remaining after the 30 degrees C, 40 degrees C, 60 degrees C, and SW washing modes were 26.8%, 2.4%, 1.3%, and 0.6%, respectively, with unmanipulated contaminated sheets. The effects of rinse on Der f 1 levels after the 30 degrees C washing were greater compared with those after the 40 degrees C, 60 degrees C, and SW modes. The amounts of Can f 1 in the extractions after washing were 0.3% to 1.3% for all modes, and all extracts, even without a rinse, did not inhibit specific IgE binding to dog allergens according to ELISA. The remaining pollen allergen levels after washing were lower in the 60 degrees C and SW modes than in the lower temperature modes. However, the levels did not differ among the various washing modes after rinsing once.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Water temperature and number of rinses are critical factors for the removal of HDM, dog dander, and pollen allergens.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Allergy and Department of Internal Medicine, Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Soo-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: In-Yong
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jung-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.forename: Yong-Won
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yoo-Seob
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Tae-Soon
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Yong
authors.forename: Chein-Soo
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Jung-Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D040001:Dermatophagoides farinae / Q000276:immunology; D003902:Detergents / Q000737:chemistry; D004285:Dogs; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007846:Laundering / Q000379:methods*; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology*; D013227:Steam; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D003902:Detergents; D013227:Steam; C091462:allergen Can f I; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C451159:Dermatophagoides farinae antigen f 1