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PONCE MEDICAL SCHOOL
Impact/Purpose:
This project will provide some information on the levels of known allergens and irritants in this tropical environment, and will possibly show associations with the asthmatic children's allergic profiles
Description:
EPA Region 2 has funded an environmental allergen study to be conducted in the Bayamon region of Puerto Rico, by the University of Ponce Medical School. Measurements of the standard environmental allergens (dust mite, cockroach, cat, etc.) will be made in the homes of asthmatic children, along with measurements of total enzyme content in dust and some other substances of interest such as bacterial endotoxin, thought to be a lung irritant. The measurements will be complemented by an indoor air quality survey in the homes, and allergenic skin testing for the asthmatic children. Asthma rates in children in Puerto Rico have been shown to be extremely high, and this project will provide information on environmental asthma triggers critical in Puerto Rico. As of 6/26/01, Dr. Montelegre's has collected 54 samples.