Panasonic demonstrates the inhibitory effect of nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology on major pollen allergens in Europe

Joint research with Dr. Lorenzo Cecchi a leading European allergy and clinical immunology specialist

Tokyo, Japan, October 14, 2026 – Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic) today announced that it has demonstrated, through joint research with Dr. Lorenzo Cecchi, a leading European allergy and clinical immunology specialist, that nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology inhibits six major pollen allergens in Europe.*¹ The joint research also confirmed that pollen allergens treated with nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology to reduce allergenicity in an IgE antibody reactivity test.

Pollen allergies have become a growing social issue in Europe in recent years. The European Environment Agency (EEA) reports that approximately 30% of Europeans are affected by pollen allergies.*² Climate change is also believed to be causing pollen seasons to start earlier, last longer, and produce higher pollen levels. In addition, pollen is known to enter indoor spaces by adhering to clothing and through ventilation, making pollen countermeasures increasingly important.*³ Pollen allergies not only affect people's quality of life but have also been reported to impact social and economic activity by increasing healthcare costs and reducing labor productivity.*^{4, 5}

Based on Dr. Cecchi's expertise, Panasonic identified and selected 12 major pollen allergens to which many people with pollen allergies in Europe are sensitized. Panasonic newly evaluated six of these allergens*¹ that had not previously been tested and confirmed that nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology inhibited all six. Together with previous verification results, this confirmed the technology's inhibitory effect on all 12 selected pollen allergens. Panasonic also selected four of the 12 pollen allergens that either have long dispersal periods or are representative of the species of allergenic pollen, in which a person allergic to one type of pollen also reacts to another with a similar structure. Evaluation of IgE antibody reactivity using immunoblotting after treatment with nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology confirmed reduced reactivity. This verification was conducted using a test device under the test conditions described below and does not guarantee the same effects in actual living environments. The verification assessed the effect of the technology on pollen allergens that cause symptoms and does not demonstrate its effectiveness against pollen allergies or other allergic symptoms.

Panasonic will continue to advance nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology and explore its potential as it seeks to contribute to society by providing safe and comfortable spaces.

■Comments from Dr. Lorenzo Cecchi
(a leading European allergy and clinical immunology specialist)

In recent years, climate change and environmental shifts have significantly altered patterns of pollen exposure in Europe. Pollen that was once limited to specific regions is now being detected across wider areas, and pollen seasons are also reported to start earlier and be lasting longer. In addition to avoiding outdoor exposure, research into ways of addressing pollen allergens in indoor environments is important for managing pollen allergies. This study evaluated the effects of nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology on major pollen allergens of concern in Europe, and an IgE antibody reactivity test confirmed reduced allergenicity. I hope that further verification will provide more detailed insights into the potential application of this technology to pollen allergens in living environments.

*This comment was provided at Panasonic's request and has been edited for publication.

■Key points of the verification

Demonstrated the inhibitory effect of nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology on six major pollen allergens of concern in Europe. Together with previous verification results, the technology's inhibitory effect was confirmed on all 12 selected major pollen allergens of concern in Europe.
Conducted IgE antibody testing using immunoblotting on pollen allergens exposed to nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) and confirmed a reduction in IgE antibody reactivity.

■Test conditions

Verification 1

Figure 1: Overview of Verification 1

Verification institution: Product Analysis Center, Panasonic Holdings Corporation
Pollen allergens tested: Kentucky bluegrass, wall pellitory, hazel, plane tree, perennial ryegrass, and cypress
Test device: Blower incorporating a nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) generating device
Test method: In a test space measuring 2.73 m x 3.64 m x 2.4 m, 1 mL of pollen allergen solution was placed in a glass Petri dish (35 mm in diameter). The dish was positioned 1.5 m from the blower at a height of 1.2 m. Samples under two conditions—exposure to nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) and natural decay—were collected after 24 hours, and changes in the pollen allergens were evaluated by electrophoresis.

Verification 2

Figure 2: Overview of Verification 2

Verification institution: Anallergo S.r.l.
Pollen allergens tested: Wall pellitory, Timothy grass, and Birch, Artemisia
The pollen allergens were selected based on Dr. Lorenzo Cecchi's expertise.
Test device: nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) generating device
Test method: In a 45 L box, 3 mL of allergen solution was placed in a glass Petri dish (90 mm in diameter) and exposed to nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) from a height of 10 cm. Samples under two conditions—exposure to nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) and natural decay—were collected after 24 hours, and antibody reactivity in the collected samples was evaluated by immunoblotting. The levels of antibody reactivity were measured in samples exposed to nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) and samples subject to natural decay.

■Verification results

Verification 1

Figure 3: Inhibition of pollen allergens through exposure to nanoe™
(hydroxyl radicals contained in water)
*For each pollen allergen: left, natural decay; right, exposure to nanoe™
(hydroxyl radicals contained in water)

Band color intensity was lower following exposure to nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) than under the unexposed natural-decay condition.
These results confirmed a reduction in the amount of pollen allergen proteins from Kentucky bluegrass, wall pellitory, hazel, Plane tree, perennial ryegrass, and cypress.

Verification 2

Figure 4: Reduced allergenicity through exposure to nanoe™
(hydroxyl radicals contained in water)
*For each pollen allergen: left, natural decay; right, exposure to nanoe™
(hydroxyl radicals contained in water)

Band color intensity was lower following exposure to nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) than under the unexposed natural-decay condition.
These results confirmed reduced allergenicity for Wall pellitory, Timothy grass, Birch, and Artemisia.

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

Figure 5: nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) generating device

The atomizing electrode is cooled using a Peltier element, causing moisture in the air to condense into water. When a high voltage is applied between the atomizing electrode and the opposing electrode, nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) particles containing hydroxyl radicals are generated. These particles measure approximately 5–20 nanometers in diameter (Figure 5).

*1 Kentucky bluegrass, wall pellitory, European hazel, London plane, perennial ryegrass, and cypress

*2 Source: Jobst Augustin, Stefan Gilge, Heike Appel, Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann et al., "Climate Change, Air Quality, and Pollen Allergies—State of the Art and Recommendations for Research and Public Health," Allergy (2025)

*3 Source: Pollen | Health impacts | European Climate and Health Observatory Climate-ADAPT (https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/en/observatory/topics/health-impacts/pollen)

*4 Source: Olivier Vandenplas et al., "Impact of Rhinitis on Work Productivity: A Systematic Review," The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice (2018)

*5 Source: Rafael Jose Vieira et al., "Impact of allergic symptoms on work productivity in allergic rhinitis: A MASK-air direct patient data study," Allergology International (2025)

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About Panasonic Corporation

Panasonic Corporation transitioned to a new organization dedicated to lifestyle solutions centered around consumer electronics on April 1, 2026. Guided by its mission, "Transform the ordinary into the unforgettable—making everyday irreplaceable," Panasonic Corporation provides products and services that create new value in people's daily lives and help each individual enjoy a better, more fulfilling way of living. The company's business areas include Major Appliances Business, comprising household appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines, Small Appliances Business encompassing beauty, health, household, and cooking appliances, and AVC Business which includes digital cameras, TVs, headphones, professional AV and sound systems, as well as related devices and bicycles. For more information, please visit: https://www.panasonic.com/global/about.html

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