Q.What are allergies?
A. An allergy is the result of a person’s overactive immune system, reacting to
usually harmless things. The substances that cause allergic reactions are known
as allergens. Your body thinks the allergen is an invader and makes antibodies
to attack it. People who have allergies have an antibody called Immunoglobulin
E, or IgE. When allergens first contact the body of a person with allergies,
allergen-specific IgE antibodies are produced. Each type of IgE has specific
"radar" for one type of allergen only. That’s why some people are allergic to
cats only (they have only the IgE antibodies specific to cat) and others seem to
be allergic to everything.
When a person with allergies comes in contact with an allergen, his or her body
will show symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as swelling of tissues,
sneezing, wheezing, coughing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, and other reactions.
A person with antibodies to a specific allergen is commonly referred to as being
“allergic” to that allergen.
Q. Why should I measure allergens and molds in my home?
A. Several of these agents have been shown to cause allergies, asthma and other
health effects. There has been a trend toward increasing allergies and asthma in
the United States and around the world which is believed to be due to increased
exposure to allergens and other indoor air pollutants.
Q. How do I know allergens are causing problems in my home?
A. If you or anyone in your family is experiencing symptoms, its recommended
that you see a qualified allergist who can perform appropriate testing to
determine if you are sensitized to one or more of these allergens. If skin
testing can not be performed, blood tests can be ordered by your physician that
can measure specific IgE antibodies to different allergens which correlate
fairly well with allergy skin testing. You can also order MyAllergyTest™ from
Home Access Health, which will accurately tell you if you are “allergic” to the
ten most common allergens.
Q. What allergens are tested for with Allergen Alert?
A. Dust mite (Dermatophagoides farine), found in most US homes; Cat (Pet danders);
Dog (Pet danders); Cockroach (German cockroach), which is very prevalent
throughout the US; Mold (Alternaria alternata), a common outdoor mold; Mold (Cladosporium
herbarum), a common indoor/outdoor mold also found indoors; Mold (Penicillium
notatum), a common indoor mold; Mold (Aspergillus fumigatus), a common
indoor/outdoor mold.
Q. How does Allergen Alert work?
A. Each Allergen Alert Kit comes with instructions on how to collect the dust
samples in your home. To collect a dust sample, you will use the dust collection
trap provided in the kit. A separate dust collection trap should be used for
each room. After inserting the dust trap in the nozzle of the vacuum, attach a
vacuum cleaner accessory to the end of the hose to keep the bag in place. You
should then vacuum over as large a surface area and for as long as it takes to
fill the bag at least half full. This is important to ensure that enough dust
has been collected to perform the laboratory analysis. If an insufficient amount
of dust is sent to the laboratory for analysis, you will be sent you an new kit
to recollect enough dust immediately. Once you have completed collecting the
dust sample , enclose the dust trap in to the envelop making sure that the
envelope is labeled properly to indicate which room the sample was collected.
Mail the samples to Healthy Home Air Lab Services in the postage paid envelope
provided in the kit. After the lab analyzes the samples, a House Dust Analysis
report will be mailed to you, which will indicate which specific allergens were
detected in the room sampled. You will also receive a data sheet showing how
your allergen levels compare to the average home. This assessment will help you
pinpoint problems and allow you to more effectively plan an effective, targeted
avoidance plan in the home.
Q. How accurate is Allergen Alert?
A. The method used to analyze the dust sample is called a competitive ELISA,
which stands for enzyme linked immunosorbant assay. This method is very
sensitive and accurate. Each sample is run with a control curve and measured in
duplicate to ensure reproducibility. The results of the dust analysis represent
a "time average" of allergen exposure as dust represents the accumulation of
airborne dust that has settled on carpet and other surfaces. Settled dust in
bedding, carpeting and airborne dust are the sources of greatest exposure in the
home.
Q. How much dust do I need to collect?
A. It's recommended you continue to vacuum larger surface areas for longer time
periods until the bag is at least half full. This will ensure enough dust is
available to perform the testing in the laboratory.
Q. What if I don’t collect enough dust?
A. In the event that your dust collection bag does not contain enough dust, you
will be sent another kit and asked to try again. If this happens, you may want
to vacuum a larger area, or vacuum for a longer time than before. Be sure to
vacuum for long enough to fill the collection bag about half full.
Q. What kind of report will I receive?
A. Your Allergen Alert Dust Analysis Report will be sent to your home within
three weeks after the dust sample(s) have been received in our laboratory. Once
the analysis has been completed, a comprehensive report will be sent. The first
page will show the level of each allergen measured on a color easy to read
graph. Separate smaller graphs for each allergen with the level of exposure is
depicted on attached pages. Finally, if the sample contains high levels of one
or more allergens, information on how to reduce these allergen levels in the
room will be attached to the report. A separate report will be sent for each
sample sent to our laboratory.
Q. What if mold is found in my home?
A. The Allergen Alert Dust Analysis reports the levels of allergens in the rooms
of your home tested. The levels will correspond to low, medium or high exposure.
If medium or high levels of mold allergen are detected, information regarding
mold avoidance and proper remediation will be provided.
Q. What do I do when I get the report?
A. The report helps you pinpoint possible problems and gives several
recommendations. The results of your test may indicate that you would benefit by
making some changes in your indoor environment. Different allergens can be
controlled with different methods. For example, dehumidifiers, special allergy
bedding encasements, and more frequent vacuuming are just a few of the many
methods which you can use to help minimize and control allergens. Consulting an
allergist with your report is suggested.
Q. What lab generates the report?
A. The manufacturer of Allergen Alert, Healthy Home Air Lab Services, is a
division of a world-renowned lab testing specialist. The Lab generates the
report and sends it to you after the analysis is finished. The price of the
Allergen Alert Test Kit includes all lab analysis costs and and a comprehensive
personalized environmental report.
Q. Who does the follow-up?
A. There are services which specialize in Indoor Environmental Control. The
Allergen Alert Customer Service Line may be able to recommend a national
level service.
Q. Can I get more room testing kits?
A. Yes. You may purchase additional room testing kits that contain one dust
collection trap without a video. They are sold separately for $49.99, plus
shipping and handling.
Q. Does the kit test for toxins?
A. No. The Allergen Alert will only measure allergens. Other byproducts such
as bacteria, mold mycotoxins or volatile organic compounds are not
measured.Allergens are responsible for causing or aggravating allergies and
asthma. Many studies have shown that avoidance of these allergens reduces
symptoms associated with these allergens and actually improves the patients'
clinical outcome. If there is concern about toxins in the home, a more
specialized indoor home assessment will be necessary. You can call the hot
line to obtain information about who to contact for this type of indoor
assessment.
Q. What is the instructional video about?
A. The video introduces you to information about indoor allergens and
describes the eight of the most common allergens. Recommendations about how
to control allergen levels in the home are also provided.
Q. Are there other agents that cause indoor air problems?
A. Yes. There are other less common allergens as well other irritant
pollutants (ie. Ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic
compounds, radon, lead…) in indoor air that can cause health effects.
Mycotoxins from various species of molds, and endotoxins from gram negative
bacteria may also be present in the home and have adverse effects on health
although these substances have not been as extensively studied. If these
other air pollutants are suspected to be a problem in your home, individuals
called industrial hygienists who are trained in the measurement of these
substances, should be contacted for further assessment.
Q. What physicians can give me more information?
A. Allergists are considered environmental control experts and can usually
provide you with the necessary information to improve your indoor air
quality. Many ear, nose and throat physicians, occupational physicians, and
primary care physicians (pediatricians, internists or family practice) may
sometimes be able to help if they have interest in environmental assessment
and control. You need to question the physician about their interest and
expertise on indoor environmental control prior to making an appointment.
Q. What is mold allergen?
A. The molds analyzed in the dust sample are four of the more common types
found indoors, but numerous other species may be present. Certain molds may
produce toxins, known as mycotoxins, and/or irritants also referred to as
volatile organic components (VOCs). While exposure to mold by sensitized
individuals may cause allergies and asthma, exposure to mycotoxins or VOCs
may produce different symptoms. If you are experiencing health problems
believed to be related to molds, consult a physician.
Molds can be found both indoors and outdoors. Molds produce mold spores and
mycelium, which contain the majority of mold allergen in the environment.
These mold spores become airborne and may infiltrate a house from outdoors.
As a result, a home with no detectable mold growth may contain significant
allergen levels. Additionally, even after moldy areas have been cleaned mold
allergen may remain elevated. Indoor mold growth typically occurs in damp
areas, such as basements or showers. Flooding, leaky pipes and water
condensation may lead to mold infestation.
NOTE: California Residents - Business
and Professions Code 1246.5 Requires That Any Test that has not been approved by
the Federal Food and Drug Administration for sale to the public without a
prescription as an Over-The-Counter Test kit must be ordered by a Licensed
physician acting on a patient's behalf. All orders for test kits within
the state of California
NOTE: New York State Residents New York State health
law prohibits the testing of certain specimens collected in or mailed from New
York, and prohibits the transmission of data from our laboratory to NY
physicians or residents. Therefore, direct receipt of lab results for NY
residents is not possible.
International Residents & Orders: Extra shipping charges may be added
for international orders. Patients will be contacted by e-mail or
telephone to approve charges.
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