Daycare centers and schools as sources of exposure to mites, cockroach, and endotoxin in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Background: Public places, including schools, have been identified as sources of exposure to allergens derived from mites, cockroach, cat, and dog and to endotoxin. Objectives: The purposes of this study were to assess and compare exposure to allergens and endotoxin in 4 types of public child-care facilities in Brazil and to investigate whether the presence of children and the performance of cleaning procedures could have an influence on allergen and endotoxin levels. Methods: We have analyzed dust from bedding, floors, chairs, and tables of daycare centers (DCs), preschools, kindergartens, and elementary schools (ESs). Major allergens from mites, cockroach, cat, and dog were quantitated by means of ELISA, and endotoxin content was determined by using the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate assay. Results: Group 1 mite allergens were greater than 2 mug/g in 67% of DC and preschool samples and in 8.9% and 2.2% of kindergarten and ES samples, respectively. The presence of bedding in DCs and preschools accounted for increased levels of mite allergens in these settings. Levels of Bla g I were higher in ES floors compared with those found in DC and preschool floors. Low levels (<1 mug/g) of Fel d 1 e Can f 1 were found in most samples. Levels of endotoxin in DCs and preschools were 3 times higher than in ESs. Conclusions: DCs and schools in Brazil should be considered as important sources of exposure to dust mites and cockroach allergens and to endotoxin. Recommendations for mite allergen avoidance should include appropriate care of bedding in DCs and preschools.