Dust Mites

A method combining dust mite filtration and natural dust mite control using essential oils has been proposed with a view to reducing asthma allergens in household air. Research papers related to asthma triggers, dust mite physiology and habitats, High-efficiency particulate arrestor (HEPA) air-purifiers and chemical and natural control measures have been studied before proposing the solution. The combined methods individually prove effective against house dust mite control, ensuring the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid system.

The study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of mites in poultry dust and its possible contribution to respiratory diseases among the Nigerian poultry workers. Settled dusts from 20 poultry confinements were analysed for the presence of mites. Questionnaire was administered to assess the symptoms of respiratory ill-health and socio-demographic profiles of poultry workers. Mites were recovered from of all the poultry twenty dust samples. The species of mites isolated were poultry mite Dermanyssus gallinae , house dust mite Dermatophagoides evansi and rodent mite Ornithosonysus bacoti. Significantly higher frequencies (p<0.001) for symptoms of bronchitis/hyperactive airways (cough, sputum, shortness of breath, tightness in chest, wheezing) and symptoms of mucous membrane irritation (running nose, scratchy throat burning/watering eyes), were reported by poultry workers than control populace. Employers in the poultry industry have to undertake a careful health surveillance of thei...