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Synthetic pillows contain higher levels of cat and dog allergen than feather pillows.
Custovic A, Hallam C, Woodcock H, Simpson B, Houghton N, Simpson A, Woodcock A
Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2000;11( 2):71-3.
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Abstract
The use of non-feather pillows has increased over the last few decades.Recently, we found significantly higher levels of dust mite allergens insynthetic pillows than in feather ones. This study investigated the levelsof pet allergens in feather and synthetic pillows. Dust samples werecollected from 14 pairs of pillows (consisting of one syntheticfibre-filled and one feather-filled). Each pair of pillows had been on thesame bed for at least 2 years. The pillows were vacuumed for 1 min on eachside through a 355-microm diameter mesh onto a 5-microm vinyl filter,producing a sample of fine dust. Samples were extracted, and cat (Fel d 1)and dog (Can f 1) allergens determined using monoclonal antibody-basedenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results were expressed both astotal amount of allergen recovered and concentration of allergen per unitweight (ng/g). Total levels of pet allergens were significantly higher inthe synthetic pillows (Fel d 1: 6.7-fold difference [95% CI 1.5-29.7],p=0.01; Can f 1: 8-fold difference [95% CI 1.6-39.5], p=0.01). Similarly,when the results were expressed as ng/g, synthetic pillows containedsignificantly more allergens than feather pillows (Fel d 1: 3.7-folddifference [95% CI 1.3-10.1], p=0.01); Can f 1: 4.4-fold difference [95%CI 1.5-13.2], p=0.01). We have therefore demonstrated that syntheticpillows contain significantly more pet allergens than feather pillows,supporting the view that tightly woven encasements surrounding featherpillows act as a barrier for allergens.
Keyword(s)
Animals; Bedding and Linens; Cats; Dogs; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Feathers; Housing; analysis: Allergens; analysis: Glycoproteins