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Article: Efficiency of Vacuuming for the Removal of Cat Allergen (Fel d 1) from Worn and Unworn Wool Carpets of Different Construction
- Article from:
- Textile Research Journal
- Article date:
- February 1, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright Textile Research Institute Feb 2008. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Abstract Exposure to cat allergen (Fel d 1) has been associated with immune responses and exacerbation of asthma. As such allergen can accumulate in carpet, we sought to determine the influence of carpet pile conformation (loop vs. cut) and degree of wear on the levels of Fel d 1 present before and after different cleaning processes. Tufted wool carpets of different construction were loaded with house dust and artificially worn, before being either dry or wet vacuumed. Using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay to determine Fel d 1 levels at each stage, we showed the efficiency of Fel d 1 extraction from unworn (but soiled) carpets to be high, and to differ little with pile conformation or ...