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Study: Cleaning In Schools Eliminates Most Traces Of Peanut Allergens

Regular cleaning practices eliminate most traces of the major peanut allergen in school settings, according to research unveiled at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology's (AAAAI) 2004 Annual Meeting.

An AAAAI news release reported that researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine examined several factors: peanut allergen on surfaces in schools, the presence of residual peanut protein after using cleaning products, and airborne peanut protein when people were eating several forms of peanut.

"After cleaning hands with liquid soap, bar soap or commercial wipes, the peanut allergen was undetectable. However, plain water and antibacterial hand sanitizer left detectable peanut allergen on three out of ten hands. Common household cleaning agents, except dishwashing liquid, easily removed peanut allergen from tabletops."

Link to study abstract:
http://www2.us.elsevierhealth.com/scripts/om.dll/serve?action=searchDB&searchDBfor=art&artType=abs&id=as0091674904007626

Additional links: SDA Cleaning to Control Asthma and Allergies
http://www.cleaning101.com/health/NewAllergies/