Scientists Find Surprising Link Between Dishwashers and Chronic Illnesses
August 20, 2024 | Source: The Brighter Side | by Joseph Shavit
A recent study by researchers at the Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), linked with the University of Zurich (UZH), has unveiled the harmful effects of an ingredient in commercial rinse agents on the gastrointestinal tract. This discovery has significant public health implications, as the toxic substance may initiate various chronic diseases.
Commercial dishwashers, commonly used in settings such as restaurants and barracks, wash plates, glasses, and cutlery through a two-step process. The first step involves a 60-second high-pressure cycle with hot water and detergent. The second step is another 60-second cycle where water and a rinse agent are applied.
The study found that many dishwashers lack an extra wash cycle to remove leftover rinse aid, allowing potentially toxic substances to dry on the dishes. When these dishes are reused, the dried chemical residue can easily enter the gastrointestinal tract.
The research, led by Cezmi Akdis, UZH professor of experimental allergology and immunology and director of SIAF, examined the impact of components in commercial-grade detergents and rinse agents on the gut’s epithelial barrier. This barrier, a layer of cells lining the intestinal tract, regulates what enters the body.