Indoor Allergen Exposure and Strategies to Avoid Them:
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Most people suffer from allergies at some point in their life. Some people have more issues with allergies and may need help limiting their exposure. What many people do not realize is that there are common sources of allergens in our homes, knowing these and doing things to reduce the allergen load can help relieve symptoms.
The following is a list of common sources of allergens within the home, we call the “Allergy Bakers Dozen”.
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1. Houseplants
Can easily grow mold. Keep on the dry side to decrease mold growth. Keep out of the bedroom due to mold sensitizing.
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2. Christmas trees
Grow mold quickly. Consider artificial trees.
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3. Blue jean buttons
Made from nickel which is a common allergen. Use clear nail polish on the back to prevent skin exposure to nickel.
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4. Perfume
Contains volatile organic compounds, which are allergenic as well as toxic. Minimize use.
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5. Candles
As allergenic as cigarettes. Limit use.
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6. Soaps and detergents
Many contain phthalates which can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Choose ones with no phthalates.
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7. Carpeting
Collects dust mites and built up dust/allergens. Remove carpet from the home, or at least the bedroom, if possible.
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8. Spices
Coriander, poppy seeds, pepper, paprika, cumin, saffron. Limit their use if sensitivities/allergies are observed.
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9. Wall paint
Contains volatile organic compounds. Limit exposure to chipped or peeling paint. Consider “green” paint alternatives when doing home improvements.
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10. Beer and alcohol
Corn, barley, rye, and agave (makes tequila) are all high in sulfur dioxide, which can cause allergic reactions in those who are sulfur sensitive. Limit or avoid use.
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11. Dry-cleaned clothes
Dry cleaners use perchloroethylene (“Perc”) as a primary solvent, which is allergenic as well as potentially toxic. Air out dry-cleaned clothes outside with plastic off before bringing inside.
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12. HVAC filters
These are designed to clear your air of fumes, odors and particulates (ie allergens). Change every three months minimum (with the changing seasons).
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13. Pets
Pet dander is a common allergen. Keep them out of the bedroom.
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Indoor Mold Information:
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Alternaria
Extremely widespread and ubiquitous. Outdoors it may be isolated from soil, seeds, and plants. It is commonly found in outdoor samples. It is often found in carpets, textiles, and horizontal surfaces in building interiors. Often found on window frames. It may be related to baker’s asthma. It has been associated with hypersensitivity pneumoniti, sinusitis, dermatomycosis, onychomycosis, subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis, and invasive infection. Common cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate type hypersensitivity: Type I). Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasm. Chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.
Aspergillus
This species is considered common to indoor environments. It is widespread in the soil and on plants, and is also considered a common contaminant of food. It has a musty odor. It is reported to be allergenic. It is commonly being implicated in pulmonary disease in imunocompromised hosts. It has also been reported to cause skin infections.
Aureobasidium
A cosmopolitan fungus with the main habit apparently on the aerial parts of plants. Frequently found in moist environments. This fungus should be considered allergenic. This species has been associated with dermatitis peritonitis, pulmonary infections, and invasive diseases in AIDS patients. Probably acquired by traumatic implantation. May be recovered as contaminant from human cutaneous sites. No toxic diseases have been documented to date.
Bipolaris
A widespread fungus that is most frequently associated with grasses, plants material, and soil. Should be considered allergenic. Has been reported as an infrequent agent of phaeohyphomycosis, particularly fungal sinusitis. It can occasionally case a corneal infection of the eye.
Botrytis
It is parasitic on plants, vegetables, and soft fruits but may also be found in soil. Reported to be allergenic. No toxic or invasive diseases have been documented to date.
Chaetomium
Commonly found on a variety of substances containing cellulose, including paper and plant compost. It can readily be found on the damp or water-damaged paper in drywall. Should be considered allergenic. The thermophilic, neurotropic nature of this organism suggests it is a potentially aggressive pathogen. No toxic diseases have been documented to date.
Cladosporium
Commonly found on dead plants, woody plants, food, straw, soil, paint, and textiles. Common case of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity: Type I). Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasm. Chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema, reported to be allergenic.
Curvularia
Reported to be allergenic. It may cause corneal infections, mycetoma, and infections in immunocompromised hosts.
Epicoccum
A common allergen found in plants, soil, grains, textiles, and paper products. Secondary invader of damaged plant tissue. Common case of Type I allergies (hay fever, asthma). No cases of infection have been reported in humans or animals.
Fusarium
A common soil fungus. It is found on a wide variety of plants. The fungus also has been found in humidifiers. Symptoms may occur either through ingestion of contaminated foods or inhalation of spores. In severe cases, the fungus can produce hemorrhagic syndrome in humans. This is characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dermatitis, and extensive internal bleeding. Reported to be allergenic.
Frequently involved in eye, skin, and nail infections.
Geotrichum
A common contaminant of grains, fruits, dairy products, paper, textiles, soil, and water. Often present as part of the normal human flora. The species Geotrichum candidum can use a secondary infection (geotrichosis) in association with tuberculosis. This rare disease can case lesions of the skin, bronchi, mouth, lung, and intestine.
Nigrospora
Rarely found growing indoors. Often found on decaying plant material and soil. Reported to be allergenic. Common cause of Type I allergies (hay fever, asthma).
Penicillium
Commonly found in soil, food, cellulose, and grains. It is also found in paint and compost piles. It may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis and allergic alveolitis in susceptible individuals. It is reported to be allergenic. Common cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity: Type I). Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasm. Chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.
Periconia
Most commonly identified outdoor fungus. The outdoor numbers reduce in winter. Often found indoors in numbers less than outdoors. It is a common allergen. It is commonly found on the surface of fiberglass duct liner in the interior of supply ducts. A wide variety of plant life serves as food sources for this fungus. It is found on dead plants, woody plants, food, straw, soil, and textiles. Common cause of extrinsic asthma. Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasm. Chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.
Pithomyces
Grows on dead grass and plants. Prolonged exposure can case facial eczema. Reported to be allergenic. Causes Type II allergies (hay fever type symptoms, asthma).
Rhizomucor/Mucor
This fungus is reported to be allergenic. It may cause mucorosis in immunocompromised individuals. The sites of infection are the lung, sinus, brain, eye, and skin. Infection may have multiple sites.
Rhizopus
This fungus is reported to be allergenic. It may cause mucorosis in immunocompromised individuals. It is often linked to occupational allergy. The sites of infections are the lung, nose, sinus, eye, and skin.
Infection may have multiple sites.
Rhodotorula
Rhodotorula is commonly identified in indoor air samples. Rhodotorula is reported to be allergenic. It can cause problems if a person has had previous exposure and developed hypersensitivity. Yeast can be allergenic to susceptible individuals when present in sufficient concentrations.
Stachybotrys
Several strains of this fungus (S. atra, S. chartarum, and S. alternans are synonymous) may produce a trichothecene mycotoxin (satratoxin H) which is poisonous by inhalation. The toxins are present on the fungal spores. This is a slow-growing fungus on media. It does not compete well with other rapidly growing fungi. The dark-colored fungus grows on building materials with a high cellulose content and a low nitrogen content. Individuals with chronic exposure to the toxin produced by this fungus reported cold and RU symptoms, sore throats, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, dermatitis, intermittent local hair loss, and generalized malaise. The toxins produced by the fungus will suppress the immune system, affecting the lymphoid tissue and bone marrow. The mycotoxin is also reported to be a liver and kidney carcinogen. Affects by absorption of the toxin in the human lung are known as pneumomycosis. This organism is rarely found in outdoor samples. It is usually difficult to find in indoor air samples unless it is physically disturbed. The spores are in a gelatinous mass. The spores will die readily after release. The dead spores are still allergenic and toxigenic.
Stemphylium
Isolated from dead plants, cellulose material, and soil. Common in air samples in the late summer and fall. Certain species can occur as leaf-spotting parasites of hosts such as tomatoes and other plants.
Reported to be allergenic. Often the cause of sinusitis, hay fever, and asthma. Can also cause keratomycosis, skin infections, osteomyelitis, pulmonary disease, and nasal septum infections.
Trichoderma
It is commonly found in soil, dead trees, pine needles, paper, and unglazed ceramics. It often will grow on other fungi. It produces antibiotics that are toxic to plants. It has been reported to be allergenic. It readily degrades cellulose.
Ulocladium
Reported to be allergenic. Isolated from dead plants, cellulose materials, and textiles. Causes Type II allergies (hay fever, flu-like symptoms).
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