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Tracy Hampton, PhD

JAMA. 2004;292:916.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

A new study indicates that detectable levels of dog and cat allergens—in amounts sufficient to increase the risk of allergic sensitization—are present in all US homes, including those without pets.

Scientists at organizations including the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, in Research Triangle Park, NC, found considerably higher levels of allergens in homes with an indoor dog or cat. But levels that could increase the risk of allergic sensitization were also found in homes without these animals (J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004;114:111-117).

The data for the study were obtained from the National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing, a nationally representative survey of 831 US homes. Vacuum-collected dust samples from the bed, bedroom floor, living room floor, and living room sofa were analyzed.

A dog or cat had not lived in 49.1% of homes in the previous 6 months, yet dog and cat . . . [Full Text of this Article]