Panasonic's nanoe™ inhibits dust mite allergens hidden within bedding fibers, a common cause of sleep disturbances during the rainy season

nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology is expected to contribute to an improved sleep environment

Osaka, Japan, June 24, 2025 – Panasonic Corporation (https://holdings.panasonic/global/) (Panasonic) today announced that it has demonstrated that nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology can inhibit dust mite allergens*¹ located 1 cm beneath the surface of bedding, which are considered one of the causes of sleep disturbances. The demonstration was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Shuichiro Shirakawa, Ph.D., Director of Sleep Assessment & Research Institute, Inc. In addition, joint research with Associate Professor Tomoki Fukuyama of the School of Veterinary Medicine at Azabu University verified at the cellular level that the immune response involved in the itching and inflammation caused by dust mite allergens was also inhibited.

According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, approximately one in two Japanese people has an allergic disease,*² with dust mite allergies being the second most common allergy in terms of the number of patients.*³ Many dust mite allergens are hidden in bedding such as futons and pillows. It is said that there are more than 140,000 dust mites per 2 m² (equivalent to one futon).*⁴ Dr. Shirakawa points out that dust mite-derived allergens within 1 cm of the bedding surface are stirred into the air by turning over in bed, becoming one of the factors that can trigger allergic symptoms and disrupt sleep.*¹ In particular, from the rainy season in June to the height of summer in August, the humid environment favored by dust mites promotes their peak proliferation.*⁵

The verification test was conducted based on the hypothesis that nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water), consisting of nano-sized particles one hundred-thousandth the size of a hair, could inhibit dust mite allergens hidden within the fibers. As a result of the verification, two new findings were obtained: nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) inhibited both dust mite allergens hidden within bedding and the cellular reactions that lead to itching and inflammation caused by them. The verification found that nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology holds new potential to surpass spatial purification and enhance the quality of the sleep environment. Note that this verification was conducted based on the test conditions described below and did not assess effectiveness in an actual usage environment.

Panasonic aims to contribute to society by providing safe and secure spaces and will continue to evolve nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology while exploring its future potential.

■Comments from Dr. Shuichiro Shirakawa, Director, Sleep Assessment & Research Institute, Inc.

image: Dr. Shuichiro Shirakawa, Director, Sleep Assessment & Research Institute, Inc.

There are more dust mites hidden in futons and pillows than you might imagine. We believe that this is an unavoidable issue when seeking high-quality sleep. We know that bedding care can be provided through methods such as sun drying, cleaning, or washing, but these are time-consuming, and frequent care can be burdensome. On the other hand, this verification test demonstrated that nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) can inhibit dust mite allergens without the need for human intervention. We believe this technology has the potential to contribute to creating a comfortable bedroom environment.

* Panasonic requested comments from Dr. Shirakawa, which were subsequently edited and published here.

■Comments from Associate Professor Tomoki Fukuyama, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University

image: Associate Professor Tomoki Fukuyama, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University

It is no exaggeration to say that dust mite allergies, like hay fever, are a widespread condition affecting many people and are one of the causes of sleep disturbances. This test verified that nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology can inhibit the immune response that leads to itching and inflammation by inhibiting dust mite allergens. Based on these results, we believe that nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology has the potential to alleviate the symptoms of dust mite allergies and reduce their sleep-disrupting effects.

* Panasonic requested comments from Associate Professor Tomoki Fukuyama, which were subsequently edited and published here.

■Key points of this verification

Dust mite allergens typically reside within 1 cm of the surface of bedding and are considered one of the factors that disrupt sleep. This verification demonstrated that nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) can inhibit them.
Exposing cells to dust mite allergens inhibited by nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology demonstrated that nanoe™ inhibited the activity of the cells leading to inflammation and itching.

■Verification data (1)

Verification organization: Product Analysis Center, Panasonic Corporation
Subjects: Dust mite allergens
Equipment to be verified: Blower with built-in nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) generator
Verification method:

Inject dust mite allergens to a depth of 1 cm beneath the surface of the pillow model.
Place the pillow model at the edge of a test space equivalent to 6 tatami mats (approximately 24 m³).
Emit nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) into the test space for a predetermined period.
Assess the dust mite allergen inhibition rate.

Verification results: The assessment of the dust mite allergen inhibition rate in the pillow model verified that 99% or more of the allergens had been inhibited.

Figure 2. Dust mite allergen inhibition rate assessed in the pillow model

■Verification data (2)

Figure 3. Reactions when allergens are added to cells

Verification organization: Azabu University
Subjects: Epithelial cells, dendritic cells, and mast cells
Equipment to be verified: nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) generator
Verification method: In a 45-liter test space, a nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) generator was installed 5 cm above the floor.
A petri dish containing dust mite allergens was placed in the test space, and nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) was applied to them for a specified period. The allergens were then added to cells, followed by measurement of each assessment item.
Verification results: nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) was applied to dust mite allergens, which were then introduced to epithelial cells, dendritic cells, and mast cells. The test showed that excessive activation was inhibited in all cell types, and the production of inflammatory substances was inhibited in epithelial and dendritic cells.
Furthermore, it was confirmed that the expression of cell membrane antigens, which transmit allergen information in dendritic cells, was inhibited, indicating that nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) inhibited excessive immune reactions.

Figure 4. Inhibition of reactions leading to inflammation and itching

■Principle of nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) generation

Figure 5. nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) generator

nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water), approximately 5 to 20 nanometers in size and containing hydroxyl radicals, is generated by cooling the atomizing electrode with a Peltier element, condensing moisture from the air into water, and applying a high voltage between the atomizing electrode and the counter electrode.

◆Click here for a summary of this press release.
https://www.panasonic.com/global/consumer/nanoe/ja/topics/2506XX.html

◆Click here for the research results of nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology
https://www.panasonic.com/global/consumer/clean/hydroxyl.html

Notes:

*1: Reference: Shuichiro Shirakawa, "Interview on factors that disrupt sleep"

*2: Reference: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, "Rheumatism and Allergy Countermeasures Committee Report"

*3: Reference: Takechika Ohmori, "Trends in Outpatient Therapy for Allergies"

*4: Reference: Hiroki Kamezaki, "Fauna and spatial distribution of house-dust mites in Japanese mattress"

*5: Reference: Junko Miyamoto, "Ecological studies of house dust mites—Seasonal changes in mite populations in house dust in Japan"

Media Contact:

Living Appliances and Solutions Company, Panasonic Corporation
Public Relations, Corporate Policy Department, Corporate Planning Center
Email: las-pr@gg.jp.panasonic.com

Customer Contact:

Living Appliances and Solutions Company, Panasonic Corporation
Devices Products Business Unit, Beauty and Personal Care Business Division
Telephone: +81-(0)749-27-0485 (available 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays)

About Panasonic Corporation

Panasonic Corporation offers products and services for a variety of living environments, ranging from homes to stores to offices and cities. There are five businesses at the core of Panasonic Corporation: Living Appliances and Solutions Company, Heating & Ventilation A/C Company, Cold Chain Solutions Company, Electric Works Company and China and Northeast Asia Company. The operating company reported consolidated net sales of 3,584.2 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2025. Panasonic Corporation is committed to fulfilling the mission of Life Tech & Ideas: For the wellbeing of people, society and the planet, and embraces the vision of becoming the best partner of your life with human-centric technology and innovation. Learn more about Panasonic: https://www.panasonic.com/global/about/

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