Hi Rob -
Excellent question. I've been hearing for some years now about imminent products to do just that. Unfortunately, none have made it to market that I know of. This is an area where quite a bit of work and research is currently going on as the market is huge. In the US alone, about 50 million people get a reaction from poison ivy, oak, and sumac. I don't recall the number in dollars spent on products to treat the reaction but it was in the billions. I know I've dropped a few dollars on the various commercial products.
I skimmed an article earlier today (sorry no URL - I'lll have to dig that one back up again) which discussed some of the research ongoing. Most either dealt with helping people get over the allergic reaction or finding a way to introduce plant stock with no urushiol producing capabilities to dilute and eventually eradicate plants which have urushiol oil. Interesting thoughts - I too though would just like to know whether there is urushiol oil on a garden tool, pet, etc. |
