They discover high levels of allergens in mobiles and how to eliminate them

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The mobile phone in your hand, around your neck or on the table could be covered in allergens and toxins that pose a health risk, according to a study that also reveals the best way to clean it.

They discover high levels of allergens in mobiles and how to eliminate them

Smart mobile phones are part of our daily lives and it is almost hard for us to imagine life without them. In fact, according to Deloitte’s Study of Mobile Consumption in Spain, the penetration rate of these devices in our country has reached 92% of the market share and already exceeds the European average. Many users recognize that the first thing they do when they wake up and the last thing they do before going to sleep is consult their smartphone, and therefore it is not surprising that a study by App Annie shows that mobile use increased by 30% in 2021, up to 4.8 hours on average per day per person.

Its prolonged use and contact with hands, fabrics and various surfaces have led to smartphones becoming a nest of germs and allergens, which could constitute a health hazard, especially in the case of people with allergies or asthma. A recent study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting found elevated levels of cat and dog allergens, as well as beta-D glucans (BDG) and endotoxin (substances present in bacteria) on simulated phone models, and has shown how best to sanitize them.

“Smartphones showed elevated and variable levels of BDG and endotoxin, and cat and dog allergens were found on pet owners’ phones,” said Hana Ruran, a student and lead author of the study. “BDGs are found in the cell walls of fungi and have been found in many environments and surfaces that cause chronic respiratory and irritant symptoms, making BDGs a consistent marker for studying problem molds,” she adds. –. Endotoxin is a potent inflammatory agent and a marker of exposure to Gram-negative bacteria.”

Effective products to remove allergens from your mobile

For the study, the researchers designed phone models that were similar in size and surface to a real smartphone, and cleaned the front surface of the phone model as part of the test. They used electrostatic wipes to sample mock phone models from 15 volunteers, then measured the fake phones’ allergen, BDG, and endotoxin levels.

“Smartphones showed elevated and variable levels of BDG and endotoxin, and cat and dog allergens were found on pet owners’ phones.”

The chemicals they included in the cleaning mix solutions (chlorhexidine, cetylpyridinium chloride, tannic acid, and benzyl benzoate) can be purchased through laboratory or chemical suppliers, but are not commercially available in most same concentrations that have been used in the study. Isopropyl alcohol wipes were also tested for their cleaning properties, useful but not so useful, and wiping it with a dry cloth did not prove to be effective.

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

Taking this study into account, it may also be useful to wash your phone cases, and find out what could be a safe way to clean your mobile screen without damaging it. In this article we gave you the guidelines to disinfect your Smartphone with guarantees.

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