Can Smartphones Cause Allergies?

Allergens found on the Screen of Smartphones could be making people sick.

Highlights:

Smartphones have become an indispensable part of our lives
In a recent study, screens of smartphones were found to contain endotoxins, β-D glucans (BDG) and pet allergens
Cleaning with chemicals like chlorhexidine and benzyl benzoate can help reduce these allergens

Smart phones have become an essential commodity in today’s world. 83.32% of the world’s population owns a smart phone.

According to the 2018 US. census, smart phones are present in 85% of American households. They are reportedly viewed 14 million times a day, making them potential receptacles for hazards such as allergens.

A new study being presented at this year’s American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Louisville, KY, showed elevated levels of cat and dog allergens, as well as β-D glucans (BDG) and endotoxin on simulated phone models ().

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‘Smartphones found to Harbor various Toxins which may be Causing Allergies’

What are Allergens?

Allergens are substances which have the potential to cause allergies. Allergies arise if the body's immune system overreacts to certain foreign substances (allergens) that are normally harmless in most people.

Common allergens include pollens, fungal spores, house-dust mites, and animal epithelial materials but can also include drugs, biologic products, and insect venoms.

A new study being presented at this year’s American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Louisville, KY, showed elevated levels of cat and dog allergens, as well as β-D glucans (BDG) and endotoxin on simulated phone models ().

“Smartphones showed elevated and variable levels of BDG and endotoxin, and cat and dog allergens were found on smartphones of pet owners” says Hana Ruran, lead author on the study.

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What are β-D Glucans (BDG) and Endotoxins?

“BDGs are found in fungal cell walls and have been found in many environments and surfaces causing chronic airway and irritant symptoms – making BDGs a consistent marker to study in problematic mold.Endotoxin is a potent inflammatory agent and a marker of exposure to Gram negative bacteria.”

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Smart Phones can Cause Allergies

The researchers created phone models that had a similar size and surface to a real phone and the front surface of the phone model was wiped as part of the test. Electrostatic wipes (ESW) were used to sample simulated phone models of 15 volunteers and the ‘phones’ were then measured for allergens, BDG and endotoxin levels.

The study demonstrates exposure to inhalant allergens and molecules that trigger innate immune reactions from a source most people haven’t considered like your smart phone. If an individual has allergies or asthma, they may want to think about cleaning their smartphone more often to minimize exposure to these allergens and asthma triggers.

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Cleaning Smartphones

The chemicals used in the mixture solutions for cleaning (chlorhexidine, cetylpyridinium chloride, tannic acid, and benzyl benzoate) can be purchased through laboratory or chemical suppliers but are not commercially available in the same concentrations as used in the study. Isopropyl alcohol wipes were also tested for their cleaning properties.

“Combination chlorhexidine/cetylpyridinium was the most effective in reducing BDG and endotoxin and combination benzyl benzoate/tannic acid most effectively reduced cat and dog allergens on smartphones,” says Peter Thorne, Ph.D., professor in the University of Iowa Department of Public Health and co-author of the study.

Regularly cleaning a device that is constantly with you like your smartphone can help reduce allergies.

Reference:

Smartphones are reservoirs of allergens according to new research - (https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/969472)