Symp.Instrumentation for Process Industries

Aim - To determine whether house dust mite (HDM) exposure in living rooms and bedrooms is higher in asthmatic children than in those of age and sex matched healthy children, living in the same area. Methods - Types of floor-coverings were recorded and dust samples were collected by vacuum cleaning the total area of living rooms and bedrooms; Der p I and Del p II per gram fine dust concentrations were assessed. Twenty-five asthmatic children (RAST HDM greater than or equal to class 3, age 6-12 years) and 25 healthy children participated in the study. Results - The frequency of cleaning and prevalence of smooth floor-coverings in bedrooms of asthmatic children were significantly higher. There were no differences in living rooms in this respect. The amount of fine dust/m(2) floor space was significantly lower in bedrooms of asthmatic children, Concentrations of HDM were low and no differences in Del p I and Del p II concentrations were observed between the two groups (asthmatic children: Der p I living room: 1.1 (0.04 - 59.4 mu g/ g), bedroom: 0.5 (below detection - 19.3 mu g/g); nonasthmatic children: Der p I living room: 1.4 (below detection - 27.5 mu g/g), bedroom: 0.9 (below de tection - 68.8 mu g/g. Smooth floor coverings contained significantly less fine dust, Der p I, and Der p II than carpeted floors. Conclusion - Low HDM concentrations are a general finding in Dutch dwellings in the present generation of children. We observed a higher cleaning frequency, and more smooth floor coverings in bedrooms of asthmatic children than of healthy children, yet HDM concentrations were not significantly different. The latter can be explained by the observation that only 40% of the asthmatic children had smooth floor coverings in their bedrooms. Smooth floor coverings contain less fine dust and lower concentrations of Der p I and Der p LI than carpeted floors

National pholcodine consumption and prevalence of IgE-sensitization: a multicentre study

P>Background: The aim of this study was to test, on a multinational level, the pholcodine (PHO) hypothesis, i.e. that the consumption of PHO-containing cough mixtures could cause higher prevalence of IgE antibodies to PHO, morphine (MOR) and suxamethonium (SUX). As a consequence the risk of anaphylaxis to neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) will be increased. Methods: National PHO consumptions were derived from the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) database. IgE and IgE antibodies to PHO, MOR, SUX and P-aminophenyl-phosphoryl choline (PAPPC) were measured in sera from atopic individuals, defined by a positive Phadiatop (R) test (> 0.35 kU(A)/l), collected in nine countries representing high and low PHO-consuming nations. Results: There was a significant positive association between PHO consumption and prevalences of IgE-sensitization to PHO and MOR, but not to SUX and PAPPC, as calculated both by exposure group comparisons and linear regression analysis. The Netherlands and the USA, did not have PHO-containing drugs on the markets, although the former had a considerable PHO consumption. Both countries had high figures of IgE-sensitization. Conclusion: This international prevalence study lends additional support to the PHO hypothesis and, consequently, that continued use of drugs containing this substance should be seriously questioned. The results also indicate that other, yet unknown, substances may lead to IgE-sensitization towards NMBAs