Household Determinants of Biocontaminant Exposures in Canadian Homes

Overview

Journal Indoor Air

Specialty Environmental Health

Date 2021 Sep 25

PMID 34561903

Citations 2

Authors

Liu Sun

J David Miller

Keith Van Ryswyk

Amanda J Wheeler

Marie-Eve Heroux

Mark S Goldberg

Gary Mallach

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Exposure to biocontaminants, such as dust mites, animal dander, bacteria, and mold, is associated with a range of health effects. This study identified household characteristics associated with indoor biocontaminant loadings in four Canadian cities. Floor dust was collected in 290 Canadian homes in Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, and Windsor. The dust samples were analyzed for house dust mite allergens (Der f 1 and Der p 1), cat allergen (Fel d 1), cockroach allergen (Bla g 1), beta-(1,3)-D-glucan, and endotoxin. Household information was obtained through questionnaires and home inspections. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses to identify household determinants of biocontaminant loadings and mold odor presence. We observed large regional variations for all biocontaminants, except for cockroach allergen. The ranges of the contaminants measured in loadings and concentrations were similar to that of previous Canadian studies. Household characteristics including presence of carpeting, low floor cleaning frequency, older home age, presence of pets, and indoor relative humidity above 45% were positively associated with the presence of multiple indoor biocontaminants. High floor cleaning frequency and use of dehumidifiers were negatively associated with the presence of multiple indoor biocontaminants. Mold odor was positively associated with older home age, past water damage, and visible mold growth.

Citing Articles

Indoor air quality in remote first nations communities in Ontario, Canada.

Mallach G, Sun L, McKay M, Kovesi T, Lawlor G, Kulka R PLoS One. 2023; 18(11):e0294040.

PMID: 37992001 PMC: 10664901. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294040.

Household determinants of biocontaminant exposures in Canadian homes.

Sun L, Miller J, Van Ryswyk K, Wheeler A, Heroux M, Goldberg M Indoor Air. 2021; 32(1):e12933.

PMID: 34561903 PMC: 9293439. DOI: 10.1111/ina.12933.

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