Chemistry reveals that cockroaches are more dangerous to your home than you think sciences

In the dark kitchen or behind the refrigerator, those annoying little creatures may move, which most people just disgust without thinking about the deeper consequences.

but study A recent scientific study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, revealed that cockroaches are not just a disgusting insect, but rather they may be a real source of air pollution inside the home, through toxic micro-components that they release into the dust and air that can affect the health of the residents, especially children and allergy and asthma patients.

Chemistry decomposition of dust

To reach these results, a team of researchers at North Carolina State University conducted a study on a group of homes, some of which suffer from a clear infestation of cockroaches and some do not. Use special vacuums and dust collection equipment free of contaminants, then store the samples in sterile tubes.

The goal was to examine the dust because it carries the remains of insects and microbes that reflect the condition of the home’s internal environment.

From the samples collected, the team conducted chemical analyzes to measure the concentration of allergens associated with cockroaches, such as proteins found in their droppings and decaying bodies.

These measurements are commonly used to estimate the degree of allergic risk in homes, especially for people with asthma or dust allergies.

To detect the bacterial toxins, the researchers used a sensitive bioassay known as the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate test, which relies on the interaction of a component of horseshoe crab blood with endoxins, which generates a measurable signal.

This test has been considered the global gold standard for detecting endoxins for more than 50 years, because it is characterized by its very high sensitivity, as it can detect minute quantities of endotoxins even at very low concentrations (parts of a nanogram per milliliter).

After analysis, it appeared that homes containing more cockroaches also contained significantly higher levels of endoxins and allergens, compared to homes that were clean or did not witness a large infestation of the insect.

What are endoxins?

Endoxins or “endotoxins” refer to toxic substances produced by some types of bacteria, specifically Gram-negative bacteria, and they are not secreted into the environment directly, but rather are part of the outer membrane of the bacterial cell wall.

When bacteria die or decompose, endoxins are released into the surrounding environment, and that is where their problem begins, as they are able to provoke a strong immune response within the human body.

When they enter the body (by inhalation, through wounds, or the gastrointestinal tract), endoxins stimulate immune cells to secrete inflammatory molecules such as cytokines.

If the exposure is simple, it may cause irritation in the respiratory system or allergy symptoms, but when exposure is chronic or heavy (such as in cockroach-infested homes, farms, or old hospitals), it may lead to chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes and exacerbation of asthma attacks, and in extreme cases (when it enters the blood) it may lead to septic shock, which is a very serious medical condition.

Surprises in the study

What is noteworthy in the study is that the researchers discovered an unexpected biological difference: female cockroaches excrete twice the amount of endoxins that males excrete.

The reason is simple but disturbing, according to the study, which is that females consume more food and produce more waste, and this waste is the main source of these polluting compounds.

In other words, the more females there are in a cockroach colony, the greater the risk of indoor contamination without residents noticing.

As scientists expected, the kitchen was the highest contamination hotspot, due to the abundance of food, humidity, and warmth of the place, which are ideal conditions for cockroaches to reproduce.

But the surprise is that the endoxins and allergens do not remain trapped in dust; Rather, it can move into the air and settle in air conditioning and ventilation systems, which makes it reach the bedrooms and living rooms as well.

A risk worthy of intervention

According to the study, in some homes where effective pest control programs were implemented, the scientific team noticed a significant decrease in the levels of allergens within just a few weeks.

This means that getting rid of cockroaches not only provides psychological comfort, but also actually improves indoor air quality and reduces the possibility of respiratory irritation or asthma attacks in children.

These results indicate that home environmental health is not only related to apparent cleanliness, but also includes micro-pollutants that may be produced by organisms that live with us without us noticing them, as scientists explain in statement An official journalist from the university.

In low-income communities, where ventilation systems are less effective and pest control is delayed, the problem may become a health equity issue, because children in these homes are more exposed to environmental hazards that they do not cause themselves.