Allergen agens in the school

environment

A field project in Jälla high school

Johan Ålander

PhD, MScJohan.alander@akademiska.se

Background

Local politicians desided to merge two

high schools

The local environmental office wanted an

risk assessment

The school

Agricultural school

• Forestry

• Agriculture

• Livestock

• Horsekeeping

A boarding school

Animals

The school today

• Agricultural school (boarding school)

AND

• Vehicles and transportation

• Building and construction

The school

The school

First assignment

Risk assessment of allergen distribution

• Air

• Hair

• Clothes and shoes

First assignment

Our conclusion:

• A high risk of exposure to allergens

• New students and teachers should not

be exposed involontary

• Current students should not be

restricted in their education

Second assignment

Measurements of allergens

• Dust collection

• Petri dishes

• Analyzed with ELISA

The school

Measurements of allergens

Petri dish

LocationCat

(ng/[m2 dag])

Dog

(ng/[m2 dag])

Horse

(U/[m2 dag])

Dining room N.D.* N.D.* 270

Classroom N.D.* N.D.* N.D.*

Office hall N.D.* N.D.* 130

Animal house N.D.* N.D.* 55

Reference

concentrations13 4 2

* N.D.; not dectecable

Measurements of allergens

Dust

LocationCat

(ng/g)

Dog

(ng/g)

Horse

(U/g)

Dining room 1200 1500 74000

Classroom 1900 1900 236000

Office hall 710 1300 29000

Animal house 4600 17300 69000

Reference

concentrations540 565 955

Second assignment

Our conclusion:

• A high risk of exposure to allergens

• New students and teachers should not

be exposed involontary

• Current students should not be

restricted in their education

The outcome?

• The local politicians desided to merge

the two high schools

• There will be rules on how to minimize

contamination of allergens

• Shower and changing room will be

available

Thank you!