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J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL
VOLUME 127, NUMBER 2
Abstracts AB21
SATURDAY
66 The Mass of Cat Dander Aerosolized is a Good Predictor of theReal-Time Airborne Fel d 1 Concentration in an EnvironmentalExposure Chamber (EEC).
D. Wilson, N. Camuso, A. Salapatek; Cetero Research, Mississauga, ON,
CANADA.
RATIONALE: Currently, the only method for a quantitative measure of
airborne allergen level in an Environmental Exposure Chamber (EEC) is
by ELISA. However, it is not a real-time measure. This study examines
whether the grams of cat dander aerosolized per hour in the EEC correlate
with airborne Fel d 1 concentration measured by ELISA. If so, mass of cat
dander aerosolized could be used as a real-time estimate of airborne Fel d
1 allergen in the EEC.
METHODS:After aerosolizing rawcat dander, airborne Fel d 1 concentra-
tion was measured in air samples using ELISA. The correlation between
Fel d 1 allergen concentration and grams of cat dander aerosolized per
hour was assessed by Spearman Correlation analyses. These analyses
were performed on data collected from greater than 80 daily EEC sessions,
totaling more than 400 EEC hours.
RESULTS: Average airborne Fel d 1 concentration for all sessions was
50.2 6 2.25 (SE) ng/m3. Fel d 1 concentration was highly correlated
with grams of cat dander aerosolized per hour with a correlation coefficient
of 0.78.
CONCLUSIONS: Airborne Fel d 1 concentration is highly correlated
with the mass of cat dander aerosolized per hour. The rate (grams per
hour) of cat dander aerosolized can be used as a real-time estimate for
predicting the Fel d 1 levels in the EEC and to ensure controlled and
safe exposure for cat allergic patients.
67 Validation Of A Model of Juniperus asheii (Mountain Cedar)Pollen Allergy In The Biogenics Research Chamber
R. L. Jacobs, D. A. Ramirez, C. P. Andrews; Biogenics Research Cham-
ber, San Antonio, TX.
RATIONALE: To develop a controlled model of allergy to Juniperus
asheii pollen, an antigen not previously utilized in chamber studies.
METHODS:Our chambers are constructedwith clean roommaterials and
provide single-pass chilled outside air with powered diffusers and exhausts
to maintain laminar flow with equalization of pollen delivery. Temperature
and humidity aremaintained at capacity. The chambers are 10846 and 6655
ft3 and seat 50 and 25 subjects, respectively. Over a 5 hours, thirty-eight
Juniperus asheii sensitized subjects and 11 negative controls were exposed
to a sham run and increasing concentrations of pollen. Symptoms and pol-
len counts were recorded at 30 minute intervals.
RESULTS: After the sham run, pollen counts ranged from 1300 to11,500
counts/m3. Counts taken at five stations at 30 minute intervals were consis-
tent. No subjects responded during the sham run. Sensitized subjects re-
sponded in increasing numbers and with progressive symptoms with
increasing pollen levels. Two non-sensitized controls experienced low-
level symptoms at high pollen counts. There were no severe adverse
effects.
CONCLUSIONS: This was the first utilization of Juniperus asheii as anantigen in an environmental chamber. With this pollen, the chamber func-
tioned within anticipated parameters. Subjects did not respond to a sham
run. Allergic subjects required higher levels of pollen exposure than aver-
age natural exposure. Some non-sensitive subjects experienced minimal
symptoms at higher pollen levels.
68 A Material Prediction Approach for Improving Indoor Air QualityM. L. Spartz, R. S. Fike, A. E. Delia; Prism Analytical Technol-
ogies, Inc., Mt. Pleasant, MI.
RATIONALE: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are known to in-
crease acute asthmatic events. The prediction of their source will provide
a process for improving home air quality.
METHODS: Diagnostic tests to determine home VOCs levels have been
nonexistent or expensive and difficult to deploy. Technological advances
now allow for low cost VOC monitoring, VOC source prediction and hid-
den mold detection (MVOCs) in a homewith a single test. This thermal de-
sorption tube gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technology followed
by a multivariate prediction has the ability to determine VOC levels and
then provide the information necessary to reduce these levels and poten-
tially reduce chemically induced asthmatic episodes.
RESULTS: The median Total VOC (TVOC) level in homes tested with
this new air testing technology is 1,200 ng/L. The U.S. Green Building
Council (USGBC) recommends that homes are below 500 ng/L. Only
17.5% of homes tested with this technology have been below this level,
with some well above 10,000 ng/L. While at home, one asthmatic client
was having daily asthma exacerbations. His home TVOC level was deter-
mined to be 1,800 ng/L, not an extreme level. The report predicted theVOC
source correctly (kerosene), the source was removed and the TVOC level
on subsequent testing was reduced to 800 ng/L. His acute asthma episodes
decreased from daily to weekly.
CONCLUSION: Low cost home air testing technologies that can predict
chemical sources could assist physicians and patients in developing a sim-
ple plan to improve their air quality and potentially improve their quality of
life.
69 Persistency of Pollens entered Into HomesD. A. Charpin1, M. Calleja2, C. Pichot3; 1Assistance publique-
Hopitaux de Marseille, Marseille, FRANCE, 2Supagro, I.N.R.A., Mont-
pellier, FRANCE, 3I.N.R.A., Avignon, FRANCE.
RATIONALE: The occurrence of pollen inside homes has already been
described. However, the kinetic of pollen penetration and persistency
over time is poorly documented.
METHODS:Dust samplingwas performed in 5 homes located in the same
neighborhood. Sampling was done on 4 occasions over a 6-month time pe-
riod. Fine dust was collected using a vacuum-cleaner. Pollens were identi-
fied under light microscopy and results expressed as number of pollen
grains per mg of dust collected. Results were compared to those obtained
using a gravimetric pollen trap.
RESULTS: Pollen counts collected by the outdoor trap and those counted
on house-dust samples had a very similar kinetic but pollen species could
be identified on house-dust samples far beyond the pollen season.
CONCLUSIONS: Various pollen species can be identified on house-dust
samples. Their kinetic is parallel to the one of outdoor pollens. However,
indoor pollens can be identified on house-dust samples far beyond the pol-
len season and are likely to induce sustained symptoms in sensitized
patients.