Method of deactivating dust mite allergens

Abstract

A method is provided for deactivating a Der-p and/or Der-f allergen which comprises volatilizing into a space to be treated a deactivating amount of a volatile oil selected from cajeput oil (tea tree oil) or an oil comprising one or more terpene hydrocarbons.

1 . A method of deactivating at least one of an airborne Der-p and an airborne Der-f allergen which method comprises vaporizing into a space containing said allergen a deactivating amount of a volatile oil comprising at least one terpene hydrocarbon by nebulizing the volatile oil from an ultra-sonic jet nebulizer.  
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the volatile oil is provided as an oil-in-water emulsion containing not more than about 5% by weight of the volatile oil.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the volatile oil is floated on water contained in the nebulizer.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the oil comprising at least one terpene hydrocarbon comprises a pinol.