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Dust collection and mite isolation by Furumizo's method occurred in 33 homes on days 0 and 14. The first application of Paragerm AK (23 homes) or placebo aerosol (ten homes) was done after vacuuming on day 14. The second (final) spraying occurred on day 28, immediately after vacuuming. Vacuum collections without spraying were done on days 56 and 84 in this randomized double-blind trial. With Paragerm, dust volume fell to 80.3% of initial levels by day 28, remained low at 87.9% (P < .05) on day 56, and then rose to 115.9% by day 84. In control homes, comparative dust values were 89.0%, 103.7%, and 109.9%. With Paragerm, mite concentration decreased to 70.8% by day 28 (P < .01), to 65% at day 56 (P < .025), and continued to fall to 47.7% by day 84 (P < .05). With control aerosol, mite numbers rose compared with initial values: 119.1% at day 28, 227.2% at day 56, and 125.1% at day 84. No adverse effects were observed in Paragerm homes besides odor (70% complained). The two asthmatic occupants improved symptomatically and took less medication following the Paragerm. In conclusion, Paragerm, used over 40 years in Europe, is an effective, nontoxic acaricide in Hawaii, acting promptly and for at least 2 months. It was also associated with diminished dust volume, important in nondust allergy.

As no published data was available, dust was collected from 102 university student dormitory rooms and 33 were selected on a random basis for analysis. Mean dust per dormitory room was 4.47 g of coarse, 0.96 g of fine, and a 24-hour sedimented volume of fine dust of 6.90 mL. The mean number of mites was 63/g of coarse dust, and 240/g and 36/mL of fine dust. They were identified as D. pteronyssinus (D.p.), 81.9%; D. farinae, 11.2%; and Cheyletus, 4.7%. Fifteen samples from homes were controls. Mean values were 0.60 g of coarse dust, and 0.20 g and 2.3 mL of fine dust. Mites numbered 985/g of coarse, and 3409/g and 244/mL of fine dust. They were D.p., 87.2%; D. farinae, 3.0%; Cheyletus, 3.7%; and Euroglyphus, 1.6%. Differences between dormitories and homes in amount of dust and number of mites were significant at P less than .001. Dust and mites were significantly less in dormitories with linoleum than those with carpets (P less than .05 and .01, respectively). In conclusion, university dormitories have significantly less mites than homes despite a greater amount of dust harvested.

Kramer-Collins pollen sampling was conducted over 24 hours for 25 consecutive months at two valley sites in Honolulu. Of 1,059 expected samples, 699 (66.0%) were collected. Only 25 were considered excellent, i.e., eight three-hour collection bands. Twenty eight were considered good, ie., two to six bands. The difficulties in the study were associated with the weather directly (17.5%), the power source (3.9%), inadequancy of the samplers (63.1%) and the inexperience of technicians (15.3%). Sampler problems were also indirectly attributable to the high humidity, rain and wind, which differed at the two sites.

Dust was collected from 41 homes distributed in valleys, on ridges, near freeways and along shorelines. Acari were found in 40 of the 41 beds of these home in high concentration; Dermatophagoides represented 92.6%; all were D. pteronyssinus.

To better understand the increased morbidity and mortality of asthma in Hawaii, a profile was established from questionnaires completed by 76 asthmatics in a residential area and by 204 asthmatics attending emergency rooms. The general profile differed from profiles on other islands and mainland USA in that allergens were more important and exercise less. Variations occurred in the profile in association with ethnicity, time in Hawaii, and prescribing habits. The Chinese did not recognize infection as a trigger; the Filipinos had little familial asthma, less pollen sensitivity, and used few steroids; and the Japanese were sensitive to Kona weather but not to pollen. The newcomers (military) who were sensitive to pollen and less to emotion and exercise, rated their attacks more severe and used more nebulizers and steroids. Certain other relationships emerged such as house dust as a trigger and the increased use of steroids. Asthmatics of two civilian ERs used fewer nebulizers and steroids. In conclusion, Hawaii's increased morbidity and mortality of asthma should be examined further in terms of ethnicity, infection, house dust, and prescribing habits.