Cockroaches May Be Polluting the Air You Breathe
Cockroaches May Be Polluting the Air You Breathe
Cockroach infestations may be doing more than just creeping homeowners out they are quietly contaminating indoor air with harmful allergens and bacterial toxins.
Researchers at North Carolina State University (NC State) have discovered that homes with large cockroach infestations contain significantly higher levels of endotoxins and allergens. These toxins, they found, can worsen asthma and trigger allergic reactions, particularly in children and sensitive individuals.
Published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the study reveals that the severity of an infestation directly affects toxin levels indoors with female cockroaches producing nearly twice as many endotoxins as males.
Endotoxins are fragments from bacterial cell walls released when bacteria die. Because cockroaches eat a wide variety of materials, they develop complex gut bacteria, shedding large amounts of these harmful particles in their droppings.
ALSO READ: Give no place to the Devil MFM Daily Devotional 07/11 /2025
The research team examined multi-unit apartment complexes in Raleigh, North Carolina, collecting both dust and insect samples over several months. Homes were grouped into three categories those with untreated infestations, those professionally exterminated, and pest-free homes used as controls.
Their findings were clear: apartments with active infestations had the highest levels of allergens and endotoxins, especially in kitchens where food sources are abundant. Once pest control treatments were carried out, toxin levels dropped sharply within three to six months.
“Endotoxins are a serious health concern,” said Professor Coby Schal, senior author of the study. “Inhaling these particles can provoke allergic and inflammatory responses. Our data show that eliminating cockroaches is an effective way to improve indoor air quality.”
Schal added that previous surveys in the U.S. found much higher endotoxin levels in homes reporting cockroach activity, especially in low-income housing.
The researchers emphasize that effective pest control isn’t just about comfort it’s essential for healthy indoor air.
Content Credit: Moyosola Oni
Image Credit: Google .Com
