Mechanical ventilation and high-efficiency vacuum cleaning: a combined strategy of mite and mite allergen reduction in the control of mite-sensitive asthma.

The study investigates the effect of mechanical ventilation and high-efficiency vacuuming on house dust mite numbers and allergen concentrations in dwellings of mite-sensitive asthmatics. Of forty houses, some received mechanical ventilation, some an HEVC, and some both, while a number acted as controls. The monitoring exercise lasted for twelve months. It was found that humidity was reduced in homes with mechanical ventilation and mite numbers reduced accordingly. Use of the vacuum cleaners enhanced the effect. An improvement in histamine PC20 was noted in patients in the newly ventilated houses.