Air Quality: Animal Dander Solutions

Description

Air Quality: Animal Dander Solutions

Images: UNC CEHS COEC

Big Idea: Animal dander is an asthma trigger found in the home, but there are several steps that can reduce exposure to dander.

Talking Points:

• Keep pets out of bedrooms and restrict them to a few rooms. But be warned that there is no guarantee that keeping a pet in only one room will limit allergens to that room.
• If pet dander worsens your asthma, don’t pet, hug or kiss a pet; if you do, wash your hands with soap and water.
• Bathing a dog at least once a week can reduce airborne pet allergen.
• Regularly using a HEPA vacuum cleaner or a central vacuum throughout the home also can reduce pet dander.
• HEPA room cleaners can run continuously in a bedroom or living room to reduce allergen levels over time.
• Professional allergy associations disagree on whether to remove pets from the home altogether, but they agree that there is no evidence of hypoallergenic cats and dogs.

Sources:
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. “Asthma” 2014
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. “Indoor Allergens”
Government Publishing Office – (EPA)