InspectAPedia ^®

Here readers will find photographs of various indoor allergens like mold, cat allergens, dog allergens, mouse or rodent allergens, dust mites, cockroach and other insect fragments, mite fecals, and other help in identification of indoor allergens such as cockroaches, dust mites, fleas, house dust, mold, mildew, pet dander, pollen. Our page top photo shows insect jaws collected during a survey for dust containing cockroach parts and allergens. Also see Biological Pollutants for information about recognizing and removing these indoor contaminants.

© Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

Photographs of Indoor Allergens and Allergenic Particles

Cat Dander and Cat Hair in Buildings

Cat dander (the black kitten Pippin at above left) is for many people a more serious allergen (and asthma aggravator) than dog dander (the dog katie, above left).

Cat dander is widespread and we even find it present, usually at lower levels, in offices and homes where no cats reside. Animal dander may be brought in by dust and clothing on visitors. Our second photo (above left) shows cat hair in the microscope.

Details about finding and removing animal dander in buildings are provided at CAT DANDER in BUILDINGS.

Dog Dander and Dog Hair in Buildings

Our photos above show dog dander (along with human skin cells) stained pink with acid fuchsin to aid visibility for the photograph). Our photo at right shows dog hair collected in an indoor dust sample, in this case the hair is further identified as from a golden retriever.

Cockroach Fecals, Fragments, Hairs as Indoor Allergens and Causes of Asthma

Cockroaches (also see photo at page top) - are the source one of the most common insect allergens found indoors in urban areas. Cockroach fecal pellets, insect hairs, and insect fragments are often identified in house dust where roaches are present. Our photo, left, shows cockroach carapace parts and hairs from an indoor dust sample.

Photos and Examples of Dust Mites and Dust Mite Fecals in Buildings

Dust mite fecal pellets: Our photo (left) shows a mix of dust mite fecal pellets and Penicillium/Aspergillus spores collected in a surface dust sample from a building. The dust mite fecal pellets can assist in a building investigation for allergens by telling us what the dust mite or other insect was eating - in this case mold spores.

Dust mite surrounded by other house dust particulate debris

Here is a mite found among pollen in the flower of a Tulip Poplar. You won't see dust mites without a microscope, but if your home has any or all of dampness, wet areas, pets, lots of dust and organic debris, old mattresses and pillows, couches, carpets, heavy curtains, or if you go to sleep with wet hair on your pillow, you're likely to have a high dust mite population. Mites, mite parts, and mite fecals show up in indoor dust samples examined by microscope. Dust mites are present wherever people and animals live. But high levels of mite fecals raises the level of allergens in the Building and may be a problem.

Fiberglass Insulation Mold comments about a field study in process, & more about health hazards from fiberglass insulation - DJF

Fleas and Bedbugs as serious building pests also may produce allergens.

Pollen Allergens in Building Air and Dust Samples

Mice and Rats in Buildings as Allergen Sources

Mold Allergens and Toxins in Buildings

...

Technical Reviewers & References

Search InspectAPedia

• Daniel Friedman - principal author/editor of the InspectAPedia^® Website
• InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase. Most of our articles also include a list of recommended books for the specific article topic as well as other references, and information sources.
• Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
• Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

MOLD INFORMATION CENTER
ACCEPTABLE MOLD LEVEL
AFTER THE MOLD CLEANUP
ALLERGEN TESTS for BUILDINGS
ALLERGENS in BUILDINGS
  Cat Dander
  Cockroaches
  Dog dander
  Dust Mites
  Fleas & Bedbugs
  Mold
  Mice & Rats
  Pollen
ATTIC MOLD
BASEMENT MOLD
BASICS YOU NEED to FIND, TEST, REMOVE MOLD
Basketball Mold Syndrome - BBMS
BOOKSTORE - ENVIRONMENTAL
BUYERS GUIDE - home inspections for mold
CARPET MOLD
DO IT YOURSELF MOLD CLEANUP
FIND MOLD in BUILDINGS, HOW TO
INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
INDOOR AIR QUALITY METHODS COMPARED
INSULATION MOLD
ITCHY FABRICS
MOLD ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO
MOLD APPEARANCE LOOKS LIKE
MOLD CLASSES, HAZARD LEVELS
MOLD REMEDIATION CLEARANCE INSPECTION
MOLD EXPERT, WHEN TO HIRE
MOLD EXPOSURE RISK LEVELS
MOLD EXPOSURE STANDARDS
MOLD INSPECTORS & MOLD TESTERS
MOLD TEST KITS

• Toxic Gas Indoor Exposure Hazards - list of common indoor gases, tests, allowable exposure levels
• Carbon Dioxide Gas - C02 as a guess at air freshness.
• Insulation & venting: general air quality, makeup air, carbon dioxide as indicator of air exchanges
• Is Indoor Air Quality a Problem in our Home? industrial hygienists view

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

• Books, Complete List of Environmental Inspection, Diagnosis, Cleanup, Air Quality & Design, Inspection, Repair Books at the InspectAPedia Bookstore
• Environmental Health & Investigation Bibliography - our own technical library on indoor air quality inspection, testing, laboratory procedures, forensic microscopy, etc.

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• How to Find and Test For Mold in Buildings - Looking for Mold - A 'how to' photo and text primer on finding and testing for mold in buildings
• Recognizing Mold: What mold looks like mold identification photos to help identify mold - choosing what to sample in buildings
• Recognizing Allergens: What various indoor allergens look like - identification photos to help identify pollen, dust mites, animal dander, toxic or allergenic mold - Common Mold and other Allergens, Irritants, Remedies & Advice
• Stuff that is not mold but is often mistaken for it - things you may not want to test. Also, not all "black mold" is toxic - here are examples of harmless black mold.
• Mold Action Guide: an easy step by step outline of what to do about mold
how to find mold, then
• Associations: Sick House, Sick Building, SBS - Air Quality, Government, Private Associations and Information Resources
• How to find a mold inspector or test consultant: Directory of IAQ,Sick Building, Mold Allergen Testing, Building Investigation Service Providers
• Meruliporia: the house eating fungus or "poria"
• Mold Investigation Tips for Home Inspectors how to find mold, where to look, what is likely to be important. Advice to building inspectors intending to inspect or test for toxic or problematic mold indoors, mold inspection methods, and mold test methods which are valid or invalid
• Mold Risk Levels in Buildings Based on Visual Inspection - simple visual clues help decide on action
• Mold in Fiberglass Insulation© 2005 comments about a field study in process, & more about health hazards from fiberglass insulation - DJF
• Frequently Asked Questions About Mold -- check this FAQ list & IAQ Site Map to see if you can find a quick answer to your mold concern
• When to hire a professional to inspect for toxic mold or other allergens
• Contact Us to arrange mold/IAQ building on site inspection and testing.

InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map - Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice: In-depth research & advice on diagnosing, testing, correcting, & preventing building defects & indoor environmental hazards. Unbiased information, no conflicts of interest.

The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems

Use this simple, economical mold test kit by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to our lab

Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.

Building Inspection, Problem Diagnosis, Forensic Investigation & Testing, Repair Consulting

Contact Daniel Friedman for website content suggestions or for fee-paid consulting