Scientists discover surprising sensitivity: UV light

People with allergies can have a long time after removing the organism. However, researchers now imagine in the future with mobile devices that can wipe the air allergens room with air by UV.

In a new research published in the magazine ACS ES & T AIRThe researchers found a way to change the structure of the air -air -to -air protein with an allergic to UV light. This approach reveals a better alternative to the months of cleaning carpets and cats, and in extreme cases, it may save lives.

“We have found that we can use the negative and secure negative ultraviolet treatment for the rapid disruption in the air -raised allergens,” said Tess Edm, a microbiologist at the University of Colorado Bolder and the co -author of the study, at the University statement. ))

You are not allergic to cats

If you are allergic to things such as cats, dogs, mold, or plants, you may not have allergies from these living organisms themselves, but for a protein that emanates from it. Cats, for example, emitted from a protein in their saliva called Fel D1, which, when licking themselves, becomes an atmosphere in small chips of dead skin. When we breathe in allergens like these molecules, our immune system creates antibodies that are closed on the 3D protein structure, which leads to an allergic reaction.

For this reason, you may still sneeze when the carpet shakes, although the cat has not been going on for several months. Proteins still exist, and they cannot be killed like microbes because they are not alive. Decreased allergens through typical methods such as the use of a filter, emptiness, washing walls and pets are useful but difficult to keep up with the long term.

As such, Eidem and her colleagues have investigated an alternative method: instead of trying to get rid of allergens proteins, they changed their structure to make them uncommon for the immune system. The team is similar to revealing an origami animal. “If your immune system is used in a swan and you have disclosed protein, so it no longer looks like a swan, you will not install an allergic response,” made it clear.

Less dense lights

UV braid. Ultraviolet light is already used to eliminate air port Pathogens And to purify equipment in institutions such as hospitals and airports. But the width of the frequency range is usually very strong-a wave of 254 nm-where people have to wear equipment to protect their eyes and their skin for use.

As such, the team tested the wavelengths of the length of 222 nanometers, which are considered to be safe for the inhabited rooms because they are not penetrated in the depths of the cells. However, Eidem recognizes the existence of some risks, such as ozone production, which can be detrimental If inhaled. As such, human exposure should be restricted.

Edm and her colleagues launched allergic reasons for mites, pets, mold, and pollen in a room and operated four UV222 lights the lunch box size on the ceiling and floor. Test the air at 10 minutes and found that the perception of the immunity of the treated samples has been reduced. In other words, antibodies have not identified and associated many proteins.

“The amount of aeroallergens was measured using an immune size dependent on antibodies, which depends on the proper protein formation to identify antibodies, binding, and measurement,” the researchers explained in the paper.

Half an hour later, the air allergens levels have witnessed a decrease on average from 20 to 25 %, depending on the type of allergens, the duration of light operation, and what the allergens were flooded, such as dust or drops. In one case, 40 minutes of exposure to Ultraviolet light witnessed 61 %, compared to the unsaturated and allergic air.

“These are very fast cuts when compared to months and months of cleaning, carpet tearing, shower,” said Eid.

Personal applications

Although UV222 lamps are already available to consumers, they are mostly for industrial applications, so Eidem hopes to see the day when people can access UV222 portable lamps to be used in more personal activities, such as visiting this friend who has three cats. In a more dangerous note, UV222 lights may save for life.

The feast concluded that “asthma attacks kill about 10 people daily in the United States, and are often operated due to air allergy.” “Trying to develop new ways to prevent this exposure is really important.”