ROSS YARHAM
InBio, Cardiff, United Kingdom

Abstract

‘Anti-allergen’ or ‘allergen removal’ claims on cleaning & consumer products are gaining in popularity amongst companies looking to expand their markets and amongst consumers, as demand for effective management strategies increase, driven by the rise in prevalence & awareness of allergies. Along with the proliferation in product allergen claims comes the potential for their use without suitable testing to validate them. This presents numerous issues to consumers, trying to wade through the complex world of allergen exposure reduction to find the best products for themselves or loved ones; and for companies who strive to validate the performance of their products. This article explores some of the key considerations and importance of robust testing methods for allergen claims.

INTRODUCTION
Allergies affect millions of people worldwide, triggering uncomfortable symptoms and potentially severe health complications.

It is estimated the average person in the western world spends up to 90% of their time indoors, and the indoor environment can be a major source of allergen exposure (1- 6). Common sources of these allergens include dust mites, with dust mite faeces containing most of the dust mite allergens; pets such as cats and dogs, although allergens can come from smaller pets like rabbits and guineapigs too; pests such as rodents and cockroaches; pollens from grasses, trees and weeds; and moulds and fungi such as Alternaria and Aspergillus.

Consumers often rely on cleaning products or appliances that claim to alleviate or remove allergens from their surroundings. With the proliferation of such claims, it is crucial to establish robust testing methods to validate these statements. By doing so, we can ensure consumer safety, enhance product transparency, and enable individuals to make informed decisions when selecting allergy-related products.

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