Fel d 1 and Can f 1 in settled dust and airborne Fel d 1 in allergen avoidance day-care centres for atopic children in relation to number of pet-owners, ventilation and general cleaning.

Cat and dog allergens in settled dust and airborne cat allergen were studied in day-care centres, with links explored between pet ownership among children and staff, ventilation and cleaning. The special centres were allergen-avoidance day care units. Control was performed by 22 conventional day care centres. Allergen levels were measured using ELISA and personal air samplers, and air change rate per hour was noted. A questionnaire was distributed for the other data. No cats or dogs were kept by children at the allergen avoidance centres in contrast to the control. Allergens were found in all the centres however, although concentrations were lower in the allergen avoidance centres. A correlation was found between increased ACH and decreased levels of Fel d 1 in the day-car centres with no cat-owners. No relation was found between levels of cat or dog allergen and amount of general cleaning. Concludes that not keeping pets seems to reduce children's exposure to pet-allergen in the kindergartens. Also appropriate ventilation seems to reduce Fel d 1 in the air in the centres.