Keeping the home environment free of asthma and allergic conditions has long been a strong selling point for many vacuum cleaner companies, however new research claims the removal of dust mites does not prevent asthma.
Researchers at Sydney’s Woolcock Institute of Medical Research tracked 600 newborn children with a family history of asthma from birth to five years of age in an attempt to find out how exposure to environmental factors affected the development of asthma.
What they found was that special treatment of children’s bedding did not reduce the rate of asthma or wheeze.
However, before throwing out the vacuum, reducing exposure to household dust mites should be considered part of the treatment for those with asthma or allergies, Australasian College of Dermalogists honorary secretary, Dr Stephen Shumack told current.com.au.
Leading vacuum supplier, Dyson has a long association as a fundraiser for the Asthma Foundation of Australia.
“We understand from the Foundation that carpets should be clean of dust mite allergens and pet dander as they are all asthma triggers,” said Dyson South East Asia, managing director, Ross Cameron.
According to Asthma Foundation of Victoria CEO, Robin Old, the important part of the research clearly shows that there is much to be done in finding the cause of asthma.
However, he said it was important that people with asthma should reduce their exposure where possible, to major triggers like air pollution and dust mites to better manage their asthma.