Study finds dog and cat allergens pervasive

AORN Journal, Nov, 2004

A study found that dog and cat allergens are present in every home in the United States even though more than half of US households have neither a dog nor a cat Living inside, according to a July 8, 2004, news release from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Researchers used data from the first National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing, a cross-sectional survey of 831 housing units containing 2,456 occupants in 75 Locations throughout the United States. The survey was conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development in 1998 and 1999. Data were gathered from questionnaires, environmental samples collected from the homes, and observations recorded in each household.

Although a dog or cat had Lived in only 49.1% of the homes, dog allergen was detected in 100% of the homes, and cat allergen was detected in 99.9% of the homes. Dog and cat allergens found in homes without pets could be be attributed to pets having Lived in the home in the past or pet allergens transported on people's clothing.

The majority of US homes contained allergen levels that exceed the proposed threshold for sensitization to these allergens. The highest concentration of dog and cat allergens was found on sofas.

Dog and Cat Allergen Present in 100% of US Homes, from Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (news release, Milwaukee: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, July 8, 2004) http://www.aaaai.org /media/news_releases/2004/07/070804.stm (accessed 27 July 2004).