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Reducing Children’s Exposure to Airborne Allergens
An Update from Halo Innovations, Inc.
William R. Schmid, Founder, Halo Innovations, Inc.
Summary
More than 5,000,000 US children suffer from asthma, nearly double the rate of 20
years ago. Asthma now represents the leading cause of pediatric emergency room
visits. 39% of doctor-diagnosed asthma in children <6 could be prevented by
eliminating exposure to indoor allergens and pollutants. Up to 40% of all children
are also affected by allergic rhinitis (hay fever), which can lead to rhinosinusitis and
otitis media. Atopy, or the inherited tendency to develop allergic responses (IgE-
mediated immune responses), plays a significant role in the predisposition of a child
to the development of allergic disease. Children of parents with an atopic history
have a 50-66% risk of developing allergies themselves. This paper focuses on the
primary allergy prevention strategy, i.e. blocking sensitization and development of
the IgE-mediated response. This can be accomplished through avoidance or
control of common aeroallergens such as pollen, molds, fungi, dust mite feces, pet
dander, tobacco smoke, bacteria, viruses and diesel exhaust. A unique, new high-
Background
Asthma in children in the U.S. and around the world has increased at an alarming
rate over the last 20 years. There is some speculation as to the cause of this
increase, whether due to more time spent indoors in “tighter” homes with less fresh
air or because of improvements in early diagnosis of disease. A recent study
concluded that the risk due to residential allergen and pollutant exposure accounted
for 39.2% of doctor-diagnosed asthma in U.S. children less than 6 years old.1
5,000,000 U.S. children (1 in 13) now suffer from asthma accounting for 17% of all
pediatric emergency room visits.2 In Australia conditions are even worse as asthma
affects more than 1 in 5 children.3
Allergic rhinitis or hay fever affects up to 40% of U.S. children and 40 million
Americans. It can lead to rhinosinusitis (in 14% of the U.S. population) as well as
otitis media (ear ache), the most common childhood disease requiring a healthcare
visit.4
In addition to the tremendous discomfort associated with these diseases and their
all too often tragic outcomes (more than 5,000 asthma related deaths per year-U.S.)
Page 2
the estimated annual cost of asthma in the U.S. is projected to be $14.5 billion this
year, up from $6.2 billion only 10 years ago.5
Page 3
Preventative Measures
Preventative measures are based on “the three stages of allergic sensitization and
elicitation of the disease” as described in the landmark “Allergy Report” recently
published by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
(www.aaaai.org) in collaboration with 22 health organizations. The three stages
include:
1. Primary prevention, which focuses on blocking sensitization and development of
the IgE-mediated response.
2. Secondary prevention, which attempts to block the expression of the disease,
despite sensitization.
3. Tertiary prevention, which targets the control of factors that increase symptoms.
Inhaled allergens or aeroallergens represent the most common form of avoidable
allergen exposure. These aeroallergens can take the form of pollen, molds, fungi,
dust mite feces, pet dander, tobacco smoke, bacteria, viruses and diesel exhaust.
Children with atopy, or the inherited tendency to develop IgE-mediated immune
responses (i.e. an increased risk to develop certain allergic diseases and the
likelihood of developing allergic disease after allergen exposure), are particularly
vulnerable to these allergens. A child with an atopic history for one parent is at 50%
risk of allergy, with two atopic parents the risk rises to 66%. Numerous studies from
around the world point to the avoidance of aeroallergens at an early age as an
important means of reducing the risk of developing atopic disease in childhood and
later.6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13
Air Purification
A useful component in the battle against aeroallergens has been the HEPA (High
Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. These filters are designed to remove 99.97% of
particles 0.3 microns and larger (1 micron=1 millionth of a meter or 1/25,000th inch)
that pass through them. They are typically recommended for use in the nursery or
bedroom, an area that is relatively isolated and shown to contain significant
allergens. It is also the single room where one often spends a relatively large
percentage of their day.
Page 4
Despite the HEPA’s high filtration efficiency (99.97%) portable units are sized to
provide a clean air delivery rate (CADR) that will maintain a minimum particle
removal of only 80% in the room they are intended for use in. In other words, a
properly sized unit may remove only 80% of the particles greater than 0.3 microns in
a room. Open doors or windows along with ventilation systems can adversely affect
this efficiency as well.
Halo Innovations, Inc., a Plymouth, MN based company, has recognized the
inherent limitations of conventional room HEPA filter units and the many variables
affecting their ability to actually deliver low allergen level air to a sleeping child. Halo
has devised a new approach to air purification for these children that is more
efficient, more effective, and far less influenced by open doors and windows. Tests
performed by Nelson Laboratories in Salt Lake City, UT showed that the Halo Sleep
System® is capable of purifying the air in a sleeping child’s breathing environment
by removing more than 98% of the particles down to 0.2 microns and below (Figure
1).
Halo Sleep System Air Quality
100%
Particle Removal
96%
Center Position
92%
Side Position
88%
84%
End Position
80%
3
7
2
5
1
2
3
5
0.
0.
0.
0.
Particle Size
(microns)
Figure 1
The Halo Sleep System utilizes a permanently charged electret filter media that is
exceptionally effective at removing all particles, but in particular the smallest
Page 5
particles less than 0.3 microns such as tobacco smoke, bacteria, and viruses,
through a process known as diffusion. These particles are most likely to penetrate
deeply into the lungs alveoli, where they can remain embedded for years, or in the
case of soluble particles, be absorbed into the bloodstream.
This unique system is capable of providing unparalleled air quality in an environment
where infants and toddlers typically spend 50-75% of their first two years, their cribs,
and may represent a significant step in the prevention and treatment of asthma and
other aeroallergen related diseases of childhood.
Figure 2 (Halo Sleep System® Components)
Integrated Bumper-
prevents an infant’s arms and legs from getting caught between the mattress and bumper
Crib Sheet/Mattress Pad
Designed for optimum air flow and taut fit
Halo™ Crib Mattress components
Perforated Sleep Surface-
comfortable, perforated surface designed to allow fresh air to flow around child’s nose and mouth
Filter Media- Permanently charged electret media
Innerspring- coated, corrosion resistant innerspring for firm sleep surface
Mattress Base- Molded foundation with integrated tabs to keep sheet taut and for ease of sheet
changing
Fan Assembly- low-voltage, Class 2, UL listed fan with infant sized finger guards provides gentle
flow and soothing hum
1
Lanphear BP, Aligne CA, Auinger P, et al. Residential Exposures Associated With Asthma in US
Children. Pediatrics 2001;107(3):505-511
2
American Lung Association® Fact Sheet, “Secondhand Smoke and Children”
3
Comino EJ, Bauman A, Mitchell C, et al. Serial trends in childhood asthma management in Australia
1990-93. Aust NZJ Med 1994;24-4:462
4
, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). The Allergy Report. 1999
5
AAAAI. The Allergy Report. 1999
6
Weiss ST. The origins of childhood asthma. Monaldi Arch Chest Dis 1994 Apr;49(2):154-158
7
Holt PG. Early acquisition of sensitization in childhood asthma. Pediatr Pulmonol Suppl 1995;11:44-46
8
Wright AL, Taussig LM. Lessons from long-term cohort studies. Childhood asthma. Eur Respir J Suppl
1998 Jul;27:17s-22s
9
Holt PG, Yabuhara A, Prescott S, et al. Allergen recognition in the origin of asthma. Ciba Found Symp
1997;206:35-49; discussion 49-55, 106-110
10
Munir AK, Kjellman NI, Bjorksten B. Exposure to indoor allergens in early infancy and sensitization. J
Allergy Clin Immunol 1997 Aug;100(2):177-181.
11
Wahn U, Lau S, Bergmann R, et al. Indoor allergen exposure is a risk factor for sensitization during the
first three years of life. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1997 Jun;99(6 Pt 1):763-769
12
Wahn U, Bergmann R, Kulig M, et al. The natural course of sensitisation and atopic disease in infancy
and childhood. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 1997;8(10 Suppl):16-20
13
AAAAI. The Allergy Report. 1999
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