Re: partner allergy

[Guest guest]

Bill,

My suggestion to leave soap on the body (for only 30 seconds to a minute

with the shower water off) was to allow for the microbiocidal action of the

soap. Just soaping up with the water running does not allow the concentration to

build up for a long enough period of time. This process seems to help with some

of the common skin yeast. I do not have any real data.

The largest source of yeast is probably the head, since there is a great

volume of hair (not in my case!) and plenty of opportunities for it to become

aerosolized. I don't think that soap alone is adequate to control the yeast

that cause dandruff, so specialized shampoos are needed.

Allergens in clothing is an entirely different issue and one that most of

you know is very real. If you are walking down-wind from someone who is

" contaminated " with an allergen or irritant to which you are highly sensitized,

you can readily react. So dust with allergens/toxins that has accumulated on

clothing (or hair) from mold, mites, pet dander, etc. in a problem building can

cause symptoms to sensitized individuals anywhere.

I took an air sample from the head of a co-worker who I felt was causing me

symptoms. There were microscopic fragments of foam rubber in the aerosol, from a

pillow I presumed. The co-worker started taking showers in the morning instead

of at night and the problem for me- dust mite allergens from the pillow-went

away. I have even found mite droppings (from pet beds that had never been washed

in a decade) in the aerosol from dog fur!

In addition to " settled " dust, all fabric in clothing is the source of

aerosolized particles known collectively as lint: what you see on the dryer

filter. Depending on how you wash and dry clothing, residues of detergents and

other chemicals can be present on the lint. Thus, in addition to the gaseous

vapor (fragrance), some part the little aerosol cloud ( " aura " if you will) of

particles that surrounds everyone comes from the washing products we use.

One of the very potent allergens in detergents is the enzyme added to digest

protein: subtilisin. When Proctor and Gamble first started adding subtilisin to

Tide, factory workers experienced a 50% rate of sensitization, much of which was

occupational asthma from inhalation of factory dust containing enzyme. Years

later, when P+G tested a body soap with subtilisin to remove dead skin, enough

study-participants developed sensitization that P+G terminated development of

the product. Even Seventh Generation and Tide-free have enzymes.

Check the label of your detergent very carefully and make sure it has NO

enzymes. (The only mass marketed detergent I know of now that has no enzyme is

All-Free.)

If you are interested in pursuing the topic of subtilisin sensitization,

just type " Sarlo K " into Pub Med. (Keep in mind that Sarlo works for P+G.)

C. May

May Indoor Air Investigations LLC

www.mayindoorair.com

www.myhouseiskillingme.com

>Date: Wed, 2 Nov 2005 01:39:19 +0100 (CET)

>From: Gerardo <thunder_road2000@...>

>Subject: RE: Re:nano-masks

>Hi Jeff,

>In your book, My House is Killing Me, you mention clients complaining about

>having allergies to their partners and advise them to use soap and leave it on

>for a long time when showering.

>Were you able to follow-up on these type of cases? was the advice to use soap

>successful for your clients? was it possible that the allergens were in the

>clothes and, if so, how does one get rid of it?

>Bill,

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