NIH Radio
Study Finds Allergens at Day-Care Centers
Brief Description:
A new study finds detectable levels of several common allergens in many day-care centers.
Transcript:
Akinso: Imagine leaving your toddler at a day-care center, only to find out that the child could be infected with a disgusting allergen. A new study funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found that, in 89 day-care settings, there were detectable levels of seven common allergens, from fungus, cats, cockroaches, dogs, dust mites, and mice. Doctor Samuel Arbes — Lead Author of the study — said it's important that parents understand the risk of allergen exposure in day-care centers.
Arbes: The main message for parents is that day-cares may provide an additional source of allergen exposures for their children — exposures that may be very similar to exposures in their own home. But, whether this is important for parents will depend on their children — and whether they have allergies and [are] suffering from allergic diseases such as asthma.
Akinso: Doctor Arbes said, although day-care centers are a significant source for indoor allergens, these allergens could originate from other various sources — such as children's clothing, homes, and pets. This is Wally Akinso, at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
About This Audio Report
Date: 6/26/2005
Reporter: Wally Akinso
Sound Bite: Dr. Samuel Arbes
Topic: Allergies, Child Care
Institute(s): NIEHS
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