If only you knew how many mites are in your carpet Leading allergists agree that wood floors are the perfect choice for a healthy home. The American Lung Association wood floors in your room and other main living areas can significantly improve air quality. This is not surprising when a great American company that recycles old carpeting has stated that carpets most commonly used for the treatment he receives contains at least 35% of its weight in household dust.
A report from Health Information Network Flooring drawn from several reports and experiments conducted by leading health groups worldwide. It draws general conclusions about the role of carpet play in determining the total allergen load in the home and the importance of this phenomenon on the severity of allergic disease.
Detailed studies in the United Kingdom showed that 50-70% of asthma is allergic to dust mites. With up to 100,000 dust mites living in one square yard of carpet being reported that 98% of UK homes have carpet, it is clear to see why the UK has the highest prevalence of asthma symptoms in the 13-14 years in the world at 19.8%, with the highest prevalence of eczema.
Carpets that are treated have themselves come to enormous criticism. When tested 3 out of 4 mats that have been listed as being treated against dust mites contain chemicals of a dangerous nature. Theses chemicals included organotins, phthalates, permethrin, triclosan, brominated flame retardants and formaldehyde. The World Health Organization has recommended that they be replaced by less hazardous alternatives.
A study has shown that mite allergen concentrations in dust from carpets can be 6-14 times higher than that of wood and laminate flooring.
Exposure to dust mites in the first, crucial year of life can trigger an allergy for life. There is no cure, only prevention - fight against the mite populations - focusing on dust control, reduce allergen concentration of dust in the origin of life by controlling the production of allergens and dust which both transports.
The mites are not only limited to carpet, there are nearly universal in the accident, a typical mattress may contain anything from 100,000 to 10,000,000 dust mites. Ten percent of the weight of a pillow of two years may be composed of dead mites and their droppings
Pet allergens
Pets are the second most important cause of allergy national and over 50% of children with asthma are sensitized to allergens of cats and / or dogs. Once again the presence of carpeting is particularly strongly associated with high levels of pet allergens. Even when an animal is removed from a house of allergen levels may remain high.
Points to Note
aec Carpet can contain the largest reservoir in the total amount of mite allergens in the home
aec The presence of carpets in a home can significantly increase the total load of dust mite allergens compared to laminate flooring with or wood.
aec Up to 100,000 mites can live in one square meter of carpet.
aec Carpet can harbor 6-14 times more dust mite allergens flooring laminate or wood.
aec The presence of carpets is particularly strongly associated with high levels of pet allergens.
How can we help reduce the number of mites?
aec Replace feather and down pillows with synthetic fillings.
aec Enclose the mattress top and sides with a plastic cover, thoroughly vacuuming mattress pillows and the bed frame. Moisten and wipe the mattress cover plastic per day.
aec Change and wash pillowcases, sheets, and under blankets, and vacuum the bed base and mattress covered week.
aec Use blankets nylon rather than wool or cotton to.
aec Eng.
Posted on May 27, 2010.
