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Page 4
| An Ounce of Prevention |
| What are the leading causes of respiratory problems in the U.S. today? Unless you live on a pristine mountaintop in a dry, dust-free house where no one smokes and the wind doesn't blow pollen, they are everywhere: air pollution, cigarettes, second-hand smoke, animal dander, ragweed pollen, tree pollen, grass pollen, yeasts, fungi, cockroaches, chemicals, water pollution, pesticide residues, food preservatives, artificial flavorings and colors, even perfumes and colognes. Don't assume that a pet-free home is free from animal dander. Feather pillows, down comforters and some silk-filled comforters contain dander that commercial cleaning does not remove. Genuine oriental rugs and antique furniture stuffed with animal hair are sources of goat, sheep or camel dander. Wool from undeveloped countries is a common source of sheep dander, unlike domestic wool that is processed to be dander-free. Angora sweaters and inexpensive rabbit "fun furs" are a source of dander that can't be washed away because of the fibers' fragility. Pet birds are a serious source of allergens, not because their feathers are allergenic but because they, too, harbor dander. Even lawns and gardens can be a seasonal source of cattle dander, for it appears in large amounts in cow manure, a popular fertilizer. |
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