mold and can impact airways. Ruran and Thorne also found variable levels of endotoxin, a type of bacteria.
“They were different on different phones, but they were very highly prevalent,” Ruran shares.
The phones of pet owners contained a lot of cat and dog allergens, but the phones of people who did not report household pets also tested positive for pet allergens, Ruran adds.
What’s the best way to clean your phone?
She also tested products to try to determine what might clean the allergens, bacteria and fungi off the phone.
You May Also Like
Ruran found that certain harder-to-access chemicals worked better, depending on whether the person was wiping their phone for an allergen, a fungus or a bacteria. They included combination chlorhexidine/cetylpyridinium for reducing BDG and endotoxin. For reducing cat and dog allergens, combination benzyl benzoate/tannic acid worked best.
Isopropyl alcohol wipes worked, too, but not as well, Ruran shares. Wiping with a dry cloth didn’t work.
About 85% of U.S. households have smartphones, according to the 2018 U.S. Census. People view their phones about 14 billion times a day, the study authors noted.
RELATED: How To Allergy-Proof Your Home
Is your phone case collecting bacteria?
Dr. Payel Gupta, an allergist and medical director for LifeMD in New York City, says allergens are everywhere. But she wonders if the phone cases had different textures, some of which might grab onto particles more easily.
You May Also Like
“The important thing to remember is that allergens can stick to our hair. They can stick to
