December 12th, 2017
Air filtration units (AFUs) incorporating a high efficiency particulate air filter are theoretically able to remove almost all potential airborne allergens. This may have implications for subjects with allergic lower respiratory disease. AFUs were placed in the living room of 12 atopic asthmatics, and the internal filters were inserted and removed in a double-blind fashion. No difference in subjective symptom scoring, spirometry or bronchial reactivity was demonstrated. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) variability was significantly present in theAFU. Trends towards lower levels of airborne micro-organisms were all demonstrated when the filters were present, however no effect upon total airborne dust and airborne Der pI could be demonstrated.