Field study of relationships between indoor thermal conditions and two major causes of allergies—dust mites and mould—in New Zealand houses
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Other Title
Authors
Su, Bin
McPherson, Peter
Jadrešin Milić, Renata
Wu, Lian
McPherson, Peter
Jadrešin Milić, Renata
Wu, Lian
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Grantor
Date
2026-08-27
Supervisors
Type
Journal Article
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
New Zealand
houses
dust mites
mould
indoor allergen
indoor microclimate
houses
dust mites
mould
indoor allergen
indoor microclimate
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Su, B., McPherson, P., Jadrešin Milić, R. & Wu, L. (2025). Field study of relationships between indoor thermal conditions and two major causes of allergies—dust mites and mould—in New Zealand houses. Buildings, 15(17), 3074. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15173074
Abstract
Based on field studies, this study contributes the new physical data of winter indoor thermal conditions of the indoor spaces with four different dust mite allergen levels in New Zealand houses. This study provides a new method to identify the relationships between indoor thermal conditions and indoor dust mite allergen levels. This study found that the indoor mean relative humidity (RH) close to the floor must be controlled below 70%, and there must be less than 30% of time in winter when indoor RH close to the floor is higher than or equal to 75% to maintain indoor dust mite allergens at an undetectable level; and the indoor mean RH close to the floor must be controlled below 75%, and there must be less than 50% of time in winter when indoor RH close to the floor is higher than or equal to 75% to maintain indoor dust mite allergens at a low (acceptable) level. This study also identified the relationship between indoor thermal conditions for dust mites to thrive and for mould spores to germinate. This study provides a strategy or guideline for preventing indoor allergies related to dust mites and mould under the temperate climate zone; the winter is mild and humid.
Publisher
MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)
Permanent link
Link to ePress publication
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15173074
Copyright holder
Authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Copyright notice
CC BY Attribution 4.0 International