A new study reveals that far-UVC light can reduce indoor airborne allergens by up to 25% in just 30 minutes—offering a fast, passive way to ease asthma and allergy symptoms without the hassle of deep cleaning.

Imagine walking into a room and flipping a switch—not for ambiance, but for relief. Relief from the sneezing, wheezing, and itchy eyes that plague millions of allergy sufferers every day. That’s the promise behind a new study from the University of Colorado Boulder, where researchers have found that far-UVC light, specifically at a wavelength of 222 nanometers, can quickly deactivate airborne allergens like pet dander, pollen, and mold.

This isn’t science fiction. These UV222 lamps are already commercially available, mostly used for disinfecting surfaces in hospitals and airports. But now, scientists are exploring their potential to reshape how we manage allergies at home, in schools, and in workplaces. “We have found that we can use a passive, generally safe ultraviolet light treatment to quickly inactivate airborne allergens,” said Tess Eidem, PhD, senior research associate at CU Boulder.

To test the idea, Eidem and her team built a sealed chamber that mimicked indoor air conditions. They pumped in aerosolized allergens—think dust mites, cat and dog dander, mold spores, and pollen—and exposed them to UV222 light. Within 30 minutes, allergen levels dropped by 20% to 25%. In some cases, like with birch pollen, the reduction was even more dramatic. Cat allergens, notoriously stubborn, saw a 61% drop after 40 minutes.

Here’s the twist: allergens aren’t alive, so you can’t “kill” them like bacteria or viruses. What UV222 does is unfold the proteins that trigger immune responses—like turning a paper swan back into a flat sheet. If your immune system doesn’t recognize the shape, it doesn’t react. That’s a game-changer for people whose symptoms linger long after the pet or pollen is gone.

And unlike traditional methods—vacuuming, ripping out carpets, bathing pets—this approach is fast and low-effort. “Those are pretty rapid reductions when you compare them to months and months of cleaning,” Eidem noted. The UV dose used was well below safety limits for skin and eyes, making it suitable for occupied spaces.

Still, the research has limits. The tests were done in a controlled chamber, not real homes. And while the study measured reduced antibody recognition, it didn’t track actual symptom relief. There’s also the issue of ozone—a byproduct of UV exposure—which can irritate lungs. But the team confirmed that allergen reduction wasn’t caused by ozone, and exposure levels were low.

So what does this mean for you? If you’re one of the one in three Americans with allergies, this could be a glimpse into a future where managing symptoms doesn’t require constant vigilance. Picture portable UV222 devices you can switch on when visiting a friend with pets or cleaning out a dusty attic. Or integrated systems in classrooms and offices that quietly reduce allergen loads in real time.

With asthma attacks claiming about 10 lives a day in the U.S.—often triggered by airborne allergens—this research isn’t just promising. It’s urgent. “Trying to develop new ways to prevent that exposure is really important,” Eidem emphasized.

Next up? Real-world trials. Researchers hope to test UV222 systems in homes, schools, and workplaces to see if reduced allergen recognition translates into fewer symptoms. If it does, we might be looking at a new standard in indoor air quality—one that’s as simple as flipping a light switch.