Vacuuming of rooms

Vacuuming

and Allergy Control

Housedust mite allergy is the commonest inhalant allergy underlying asthma and allergic rhinitis in coastal and many inland areas.

The cornerstone of the treatment of any allergy is to “avoid the allergen”.

Vacuum cleaning with the correct machine will assist the patient in the reduction of housedust mites in the home.

Does vacuum cleaning make a difference? If so, how? And, which types of vacuum cleaners should we be using?

1. Where are the mites?

It is now well established that maximal exposure to housedust mites occurs in the patient’s bed where the highest levels of mites are found. Mites are also present in carpets.

Mattresses, pillows, duvets and bed clothing represent the largest reservoir of mites in our homes.
read more about mites

2. What reduces mite levels on the bed?

Hot washing of bedding with water at temperatures greater than 60пїЅC will kill the mites. Reduction in the ambient relative humidity below 60% will markedly inhibit mite growth and reproduction. Fitting the mattresses with a mite impermeable cover is the most effective way of separating the patient from housedust mites in the mattress.

3. What about mites on the carpets?What reduces mite levels on the bed?

“Getting ride of the carpets” remains sound advice for mite allergy sufferers if this is possible. Since dispersion of housedust mites from the carpets may occur during vacuuming, it is possible to transmit housedust mite larvae into the air and onto the bedding, if a faulty or old vacuum cleaner is used.

4. Choosing a vacuum cleaner

• The ideal vacuum cleaner should have adequate suction and airflow.
• It should not induce air turbulence while vacuuming. The most effective and reliable cleaner is not necessarily the most expensive one.
• It should have an air exhaust system which is completely impermeable to the efflux of housedust mite antigens.
• It should also be durable and portable.
• Having a water trap will not necessarily stop the aerosolization and redistribution of housedust mites via the vacuum exhaust.
• Double thickness bags are essential to reduce allergen leakage, and the bags should be regularly changed.
• The most effective vacuum cleaners are vacuum cleaners installed with HEP filters or electrostatic filters at the air outlets. HEPA filters retain 99.9% of particles range of 0.3 to 0.5 micrometers and will retain all housedust mite, cat and mould allergens which give rise to allergic symptoms. HEPA filters will also retain cigarette smoke particles which are well known irritants for allergy sufferers who have asthma and rhinitis.

CONCLUSIONS

When evaluating the efficacy of vacuum cleaners it is important not only to be concerned about the amount of housedust allergens removed in the dust bag and the residual mite level on the bed or carpets, but the amount of housedust mite allergen becoming airborne during vacuuming.

Regular vacuuming with appropriate equipment will assist the allergy sufferer to reduce the load and the spread of indoor allergens such as housedust mites and cat allergens from the carpets to the beds. Vacuuming is thus an important control measure available for allergy sufferers.

Copyright: Allergy Society of South Africa.
Endorsed by ALLSA.

This information sheet is obtainable from:

ALLSA P.O. Box 88 Observatory, 7935 Cape Town, R.S.A.

Gemsbok Background: Hippopotamus