Another altenaria study. Who funding these?

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_Sci Total Environ._ (javascript:AL_get(this, 'jour', 'Sci Total

Environ.') 2006 Oct 13; [Epub ahead of print] _Related Articles,_

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The effect of home characteristics on dust antigen concentrations and loads

in homes.

_Cho SH_

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_Abstract & term= " Cho+SH " [Author]) , _Reponen T_

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ponen+T " [Author]) , _Bernstein DI_

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_Abstract & term= " Bernstein+DI " [Author]) ,

_Olds R_

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_Abstract & term= " Olds+R " [Author]) , _Levin L_

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n+L " [Author]) , _Liu X_

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_Abstract & term= " Liu+X " [Author]) , _ K_

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ract & term= " +K " [Author]) , _Lemasters G_

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_Abstract & term= " Lemasters+G " [A

uthor]) .

Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

45267-0056, USA.

On-site home visits, consisting of a home inspection, dust sampling, and

questionnaires were conducted in 777 homes belonging to an ongoing birth cohort

study in Cincinnati, Ohio. Various home characteristics were investigated,

and antigen levels (concentrations [mug/g] and loadings [mug/m(2)]; IU for

cockroach allergen) in floor dust samples collected in child's primary activity

room were analyzed by ELISA. Monoclonal antibodies were used for the analysis

of cat, house dust mite, and cockroach allergens, and polyclonal antibodies

for Alternaria and dog antigens. The relationship between the antigen levels

and home characteristics was investigated through a generalized multiple

regression model. More than half of the homes experienced mold/water damage.

Cats

and dogs were present in 19.7% and 31.1% of homes, respectively. More than

90% of homes had either carpet or area rug covering their floors. Among 777

homes, 87-92% of homes had measurable amount of Alternaria, cat, and dog

allergen/antigen in house dust, whereas only 38% and 14% of homes had

measurable

levels of house dust mite and cockroach, respectively. Alternaria antigen level

in house dust was not associated with visual mold/water damage, which was

suspected to be one of the sources for this antigen in homes. Instead, the

antigen level was high in samples taken in fall and in homes having dogs

implicating that Alternaria antigen appears to be transported from outdoors to

indoors. A high level was also measured in homes using a dehumidifier (these

homes

have experienced excessive humidity) and in-home venting of clothes dryer,

which might be associated with microclimate affecting mold growth and spore

release. The allergen/antigen level (both concentration and loading) of cat,

dog and cockroach was significantly associated with the number of cats and

dogs, or the appearance of cockroaches, respectively. High level of house dust

mite allergen was measured in bedrooms and in homes using dehumidifier and no

central forced air heating system. Having indoor plants was shown to reduce

allergen levels. Carpeted floor was found to hold larger amount of antigens

than non-carpeted floor. Antigen loading demonstrated more consistent and

larger

numbers of associations with home characteristics compared to antigen

concentration. This study encompassed a wide range of home characteristics and

various antigen types. Our findings provide information on home characteristics

that can be used for allergen avoidance and in planning future exposure

assessment studies.

1. More than half of the homes experienced mold/water damage

(How much more than " half " ?)

2. A high level was also measured in homes using a dehumidifier (these

homes have experienced excessive humidity)

(ALL of these homes have 'experience excessive humidity?)

3.. Alternaria antigen level in house dust was not associated with visual

mold/water damage,

(True, alternaria is not an indoor mold, even in water damaged buildings)

4. Monoclonal antibodies were used for the analysis of cat, house dust

mite,

and cockroach allergens, and polyclonal antibodies for Alternaria and dog

antigens.

(Ummmmm Were there any other antigens known to cause human

reaction from homes that are known to have " experienced excessive

humidity?)

5. Among 777 homes, 87-92% of homes had measurable amount of

Alternaria,

cat, and dog allergen/antigen in house dust,

(But what percentage had elevated alternaria?)

6. Monoclonal antibodies were used for the analysis of cat, house dust

mite,

and cockroach allergens, and polyclonal antibodies for Alternaria and dog

antigens.

(So what. They 'studied' homes with excessive humidity where

people were self reporting symptoms and concluded that Alternaria, cats,

dogs, dust mites cause allergic reactions? Or no. What did they

conclude? Can't tell)

This flurry of alternaria studies is looking more and more like cigarette

science to me.

From the Big Tobacco RICO docs, attached. What you will see is the current

President of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology,

Platts-Mills, was paid $590K thru Center for Indoor Air Research (Big Tobacco

front org) to study cockroaches and dust mites. Implications are that this

was to take the focus off of illnesses caused by second hand smoke.

Know what Reference #1 is for the ACOEM Mold Statement?

WR, Platts-Mills TAE. Aerobiology and Inhalant Allergens. In:

Middleton E, Jr et al, eds. Allergy: Principles and Practice. St. Louis: Mosby

Co.;

1998:367-403.

Its a cockroach, dust mite study.

This sudden flurry of alternaria research publications in conjunction with

allergic reacions and the indoor environment, smacks of cigarette science

methodology for the purpose of confusing what is known of illness brought on by

microbial contamination within water damaged homes, schools and offices.

Who is funding these studies?

Sharon