Evaporative coolers are not associated with dust mite or mold sensitization in large pediatric cohort

The primary species of house dust mites (HDM), Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, are associated with asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis1. Mold exposure is also implicated in allergic disease, most prominently with asthma2. HDM survival is dependent on a relative humidity of greater than 55-75%3, and most species of fungi grow at a relative humidity greater than 60% 4. Evaporative (or swamp) coolers (ECs) are used as a low-cost air conditioning alternative in arid and semi-arid climates.
Source: Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Tags: Letter Source Type: research