Peanut protein in household dust is related to household peanut consumptions and is biologically active.

METHODS. A semiquantitative assessment of total HPC over 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months was obtained by using information gathered from a questionnaire. Moderate to high HPC consumption was defined as $10 g/wk. To quantify ambient household peanut levels, dust samples from all household members’ beds, the infant’s crib, and the infant’s play area were obtained by vacuuming. Wipe samples were obtained from the infant’s and parents’ eating areas, taps, dishwasher and refrigerator handles, and the infant’s crib rail. Peanut protein in the samples was measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and converted to micrograms of peanut protein per gram of dust.