WEDNESDAY, June 8, 2005 (HealthDay News) -- Day-care centers are a major source of indoor air allergens for children, according to a new study by researchers at the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).
"Because children spend a significant portion of time in day-care settings, it is important that parents understand the risks of allergen exposure and know where these allergens can be found," NIEHS director Dr. David A. Schwartz said in a prepared statement.
The study of 89 day-care centers in two counties in central North Carolina found that each of them had detectable levels of seven common allergens from fungus, cats, cockroaches, dust mites, dogs and mice. The levels of these allergens were similar to those found in homes in the South in previous studies.
Concentrations of five of the allergens were much lower on non-carpeted surfaces than on carpeted surfaces, the researchers said.
"Interestingly, similar to other studies, dog and cat allergens were detected in nearly all the facilities tested, although no dog or cat was observed in most. It is likely the pet allergens are brought in on the children's clothing," said study author Samuel Arbes, an NIEHS researcher.
"The similarities in allergen levels between the day-care centers and Southern home living rooms means children and the day-care workers may be getting prolonged exposure to allergens. More research needs to be conducted to determine the effects of allergen exposure outside of the home," Arbes said.
The findings were published June 1 in the online issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
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