House Dust Mite Allergen in US Beds: Results from the First National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing
Study by S. J. Arbes, R. D. Cohn, M. Yin, M. L. Muilenberg, H. A. Burge, W. Friedman and D. C. Zeldin
National Survey · Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Vol. 111, Issue 2, pp. 408-414) · DOI: 10.1067/mai.2003.16
Key Takeaway
Most U.S. Homes Had Dust Mite Allergen in a Bed
What was tested: A national survey collected dust from a bed in 831 U.S. homes and measured two dust mite allergens, Der f 1 and Der p 1 (Arbes et al., 2003). The survey was run in 1998 and 1999 by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Vojta et al., 2002).
What the numbers showed: 84.2% of homes had detectable mite allergen in a bed, 46.2% had at least 2.0 µg per gram of bed dust, and 24.2% had at least 10.0 µg per gram. The authors say levels like these have been linked in earlier research to allergic sensitization and asthma.
What this means for you: Mite allergen in beds is common. Higher levels were tied to older homes, higher bedroom humidity and musty odors. The study did not test covers, cleaning or any type of mattress.
Key Numbers
How the Study Was Done
The First National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing visited 831 homes from July 1998 to August 1999. The homes were chosen to represent about 96 million permanently occupied U.S. homes that allow children (Vojta et al., 2002).
Survey staff collected a dust sample from a bed in each home. A lab measured the two dust mite allergens, and the team estimated what share of U.S. homes were at or above each level. They also looked at which home features predicted higher levels (Arbes et al., 2003).
Home Features Linked to Mite Allergen Levels
Linked to Lower Levels
Homes in the West, newer homes, homes with forced air heating, and lower bedroom humidity.
Linked to Higher Levels
Older homes, single-family homes, a musty or mildew odor, and higher bedroom humidity.
What the Study Found
The share of U.S. homes with mite allergen in a bed was 84.2% at any detectable level, 46.2% at 2.0 µg per gram or more, and 24.2% at 10.0 µg per gram or more. Higher levels were independently linked to older homes, homes outside the West, single-family homes, homes with no children, lower household income, heating other than forced air, a musty or mildew odor, and higher bedroom humidity (Arbes et al., 2003).
The authors conclude that most U.S. homes have detectable dust mite allergen in a bed, and that levels previously linked to allergic sensitization and asthma are common in U.S. bedrooms. The survey measured allergen in dust. It did not track anyone's symptoms.
An earlier version of this page said the 10 µg level is known to set off asthma attacks, named one allergen as the main one, and called zippered covers medically necessary. The paper's abstract does not say those things, so they were removed.
How to Apply This Study When Choosing a Mattress
What it tells you: Dust mite allergen in beds is common in U.S. homes, and damp, humid bedrooms tend to have more.
If you have dust mite allergies or asthma, ask your doctor which steps are worth it for you. This study did not test mattress covers, mattress types or any brand.
Study Scope and Limitations
One dust sample from one bed per home, collected in 1998 and 1999. The survey measured allergen levels, not symptoms, and did not compare mattress types, covers or cleaning.
Primary Citation
Arbes, S. J., Cohn, R. D., Yin, M., Muilenberg, M. L., Burge, H. A., Friedman, W., & Zeldin, D. C. (2003). House dust mite allergen in US beds: Results from the First National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 111(2), 408-414. https://doi.org/10.1067/mai.2003.16