Dust weight and asthma prevalence in the National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing (NSLAH).

Background: Settled dust has been used in studies to assess exposures to allergens and other biologically active components, but it has not been considered in the aggregate in relation to respiratory health outcomes in the general population.

Objective: We addressed whether total house dust weight, an index of total dust exposure, was associated with respiratory health outcomes in the National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing (1998-1999) (NSLAH).

Methods: NSLAH was a cross-sectional survey designed to represent permanently occupied housing units in the United States.