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Peak-flow variability in asthmatic children is not related to wall-to-wall carpeting on classroom floors
P D Voûte1, J P Zock, B Brunekreef
1Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Insights
Wall-to-wall carpets in classrooms do not worsen asthma symptoms in children. Lower levels of dust mite allergen (Der p I) on classroom carpets, compared to homes, likely explain why classroom carpets did not impact respiratory health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Environmental Health
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Asthma affects many school-aged children, with respiratory symptoms impacting their quality of life.
- The role of indoor allergens, such as those from house dust mites, in exacerbating childhood asthma is a significant concern.
- Classroom environments, including flooring types, are potential sources of allergen exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that wall-to-wall carpets in school classrooms negatively affect the respiratory health of asthmatic children.
- To compare respiratory health outcomes in asthmatic children attending schools with carpeted versus non-carpeted classrooms.
- To assess the relationship between allergen levels (Der p I) in different dust environments and asthma symptom severity.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 98 asthmatic children (ages 5-11) from Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, was studied over one month.
- Children underwent daily peak-flow measurements, and parents recorded respiratory symptoms and medication use.
- Dust samples from classroom floors, home floors, and mattresses were analyzed for Der p I (house dust mite allergen).
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in peak-flow variability, acute respiratory symptoms, or medication use between children in schools with or without carpeted classrooms.
- Der p I levels were significantly lower in dust from classroom floors compared to dust from homes.
- Peak-flow variability correlated with Der p I levels in mattress dust for dust mite-sensitized children, but not with Der p I levels in classroom floor dust.
Conclusions:
- Carpeted classroom floors do not appear to contribute to asthma symptom severity in children.
- The lower concentration of Der p I on classroom carpets may explain the lack of association with increased respiratory symptoms.
- Further research could explore specific allergen levels and mitigation strategies in school environments.
Abstract:
The hypothesis was tested that wall-to-wall carpets on school classroom floors have a negative effect on the respiratory health of asthmatic children. Asthmatic patients (n = 98) were selected from the records of the Sophia Children's Hospital in Rotterdam. The patients were between 5 and 11 years old. All children had peak-flow measurements three times a day for a 1-month period. The parents of the children completed a diary in which respiratory symptoms and medication use were recorded daily for the same period. Dust samples were taken from classroom floors, living-room and bedroom floors, and mattresses of the children. The dust samples were analyzed for Der p I content, the major allergen of the house-dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. The results of the study showed that there was no significant difference between children visiting schools with or without carpeted classroom floors in peak-flow variability, acute respiratory symptoms, or medication use. The Der p I content of dust collected from classroom floors was much lower than of dust collected from homes. There was a significant correlation between peak-flow variability and mattress dust Der p I content in asthmatic children sensitized to dust mites, but not between peak-flow variability and classroom floor dust Der p I content. We concluded that carpeted classroom floors do not contribute to asthma symptom severity, possibly because of the low levels of Der p I on them.