Health hazard dust mites cause allergies and asthma

Survey results suggest that over 45 percent of US housing, or approximately 44 million homes have bedding with dust mite allergen concentrations that exceed the level that has been associated with the development of allergies. This study suggests that a large number of US homes contain dust mite allergen levels which pose a significant risk for the development of allergies and asthma. National Institutes of Health, May 9, 2000

Researchers estimated that 22 million homes (23 percent) have beds with levels of dust mites believed to be associated with symptomatic asthma.
American Family Physician, August, 2000

The increase in asthma and in allergic disease could actually be due to increased sensitization to mites. Dust mites are fairly ubiquitous ........ . Findings presented at the 2005 annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). April , 2005

One study reported that their.....results indicated that the subjects were exposed to higher levels of mite allergen in the home environments, with the majority of exposure occurring while the subject was lying in bed.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, March, 2001

The house dust mite can actually cause asthma to develop in the first place.
National Asthma Campaign, Asthma News, Spring 2000

While new homes or furniture are dust-free, within a month both are populated with dust mites that come from other areas in which people spend time, such as their vehicles or other peoples homes.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, March, 2001

Environmental Protection Agency studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor levels of pollutants may be 2-5 times, and occasionally more than 100 times, higher than outdoor levels.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency web site June, 2002

EPA's Indoor Environments Division has launched a national public education and prevention program in response to the asthma epidemic in the United States. The goal of the outreach program is to raise public awareness of indoor environmental asthma triggers, e.g., secondhand smoke, dust mites.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency web site June, 2002

The EPA has identified indoor air quality as one of the five most urgent environmental risks to public health.
American Lung Association, Indoor Air Pollution Fact Sheet, April, 1999

Each year more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergic diseases, costing the healthcare system more than $18 billion, employers high rates of absenteeism, and children lost time in school.
ABC NEWS.com, March 2001

Avoiding allergen exposure in infancy reduces the development of asthma.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, March, 2001

Childhood asthma accounted for 10.1 million days missed from school annually.
American Lung Association, March, 2002

House dust mites are now accepted as the single greatest cause of indoor allergies, and they can be found in abundance in most beds.
Saturday Evening Post, May 1999

A government report found that the hardy mites - microscopic critters that dwell in bedding, upholstery and carpeting - thrive in almost half the homes in the nation. As we close up our houses more we are providing warmer and more humid conditions for the dust mite.
USA Today Health, May 22, 2000

Findings presented April 11, 2005 at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) indicates...Kids today may be more susceptible to allergies than previous generations. "It looks like the increase in asthma and in allergic disease could actually be due to increased sensitization to mites..... Dust mites are fairly ubiquitous....
IEQ Review, April 13, 2005