Scientists Discover Surprising Allergy Fix: UV Light
For allergy sufferers, a truly effective long-term solution has remained elusive. Traditional methods like filtering air, frequent vacuuming, and rigorous cleaning can reduce allergen levels, but maintaining these efforts consistently proves challenging. Now,a team of researchers led by Dr. Eidem is exploring a novel approach: not eliminating allergy-causing proteins, but altering their structure to render them unrecognizable to the immune system.
The concept, as explained by Dr. Eidem, is akin to changing the form of an origami creation. “If your immune system is used to a swan and you unfold the protein so it no longer looks like a swan, you won’t mount an allergic response,” she stated. This led the team to investigate the potential of ultraviolet (UV) light.
UV light is already utilized for disinfection in settings like hospitals and airports, typically employing a strong 254-nanometer wavelength that necessitates protective gear for operators. However, Dr.Eidem and her colleagues focused on a less intense wavelength – 222 nanometers – wich is considered safe for use in occupied rooms as it doesn’t deeply penetrate cells.While acknowledging potential risks like ozone production,which can be harmful if inhaled,the researchers emphasize the need for restricted human exposure during operation.
In a controlled experiment, the team released allergens from common sources – dust mites, pet dander, mold, and pollen – into a chamber. They then activated four lunchbox-sized UV222 lamps positioned on the ceiling and floor. Air samples were tested at 10-minute intervals, revealing a reduction in immunorecognition; antibodies struggled to identify and bind to the treated proteins.
The researchers detailed their methodology, explaining that their “antibody-based immunoassay…relies on intact protein conformation for antibody-allergen recognition, binding, and quantification.”
Results showed an average allergen level decrease of 20 to 25% after 30 minutes, varying based on allergen type, exposure duration, and the medium in which the allergen was suspended (dust or droplets). Notably, exposure to UV light for 40 minutes resulted in a 61% reduction of Fel d1, a major cat allergen, compared to untreated air.
“Those are pretty rapid reductions when you compare them to months and months of cleaning, ripping up carpet, and bathing your cat,” Dr. Eidem remarked.
While UV222 lights are currently primarily used in industrial applications, Dr. Eidem envisions a future where portable UV222 lights are accessible for personal use, perhaps benefiting individuals visiting allergy-triggering environments. She also highlighted the potential life-saving implications of this technology, noting that asthma attacks, often triggered by airborne allergies, claim approximately 10 lives daily in the United States. “Trying to develop new ways to prevent that exposure is really crucial,” she concluded.
