Detection of Food Allergens in School and Home Environments of Elementary Students.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Little is known about environmental food allergen exposure on school surfaces.

Objective

To compare the distribution of major food allergens in floor dust and table wipe samples from elementary schools and dust samples from students' homes.

Methods

In this substudy of the School Inner-City Asthma Study-II, 103 table wipe samples and 98 floor dust samples from cafeterias and classrooms in 18 elementary schools were analyzed for milk, peanut, cashew, hazelnut, and egg using a multiplex array. Home kitchen floor and bed dust samples from 90 students were also analyzed.

Results

Food allergens were detectable in schools, but at significantly lower levels than in homes (P < .001). In schools, milk and peanut were detected in all table wipe samples; milk an

SUBMITTER: Maciag MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8511097 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature