Importance of dust allergy

The twentieht century has brought real advances concerning life style and living comfort for the habitants of the industrialized countries. Increasing wishes of hygiene and a changing way of life have been influencing the way homes and flats were built.

The introduction of modern central heating systems and the hermetic sealing of living rooms became a mark of quality for the progressing wealth. This modern style of living has also produced problems for a part of the people. The increase of allergies caused by 'Living room allergenics' is a good example for this. A special importance has in this context the overall existing dust :

Composition of the ecologic system 'dust'

Textile fibres

• of plant origin

• of animal origin

Artificial fibres
Feathers
(from beds)
Epithelies

• Human hair and scales

• Animal hair

Arthtropods
Bacteria
Molds
Yeasts
Protozoes
Pollen
Diaspors
Food particles
Wood particles
Ash
Coal particles
Sand

Big danger is caused especially by dust mites. In the last years there were scientific studies about dust allergy throughout the world. Examinations of different populations showed that ca. 5-30% of the common population have a sensibilisation against dust mites in the skin test.

The German Association for Allergy and Asthma (DAAB) in Mönchengladbach estimates that there are about 4.5 million people in Germany who suffer from a dust allergy. 80% of all kids having asthma show a sensibilisation against mites.

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