I believe this has been discussed here in other threads and many are aware of the issue.
It is nice to see that some official investigation has started into the products, althought I would not expect
that product changes will occur.
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Do YOU hate cleaning? Here's a good excuse to avoid it: Chemicals in household products 'increase the risk of lung damage'
The Norwegian study looked at 5,000 women over a 20 year period
Found occupational cleaners had 17% reduced lung function than average
But women only using products at home also had 14% function decline
Campaigners Healthy Lung for Life recommends wipes instead of sprays
Scrubbing the kitchen or bathroom clean is not most people's idea of fun.
But aside from being an unwelcome chore, it could also be wreaking havoc with your health, a study has found.
Chemicals used in sprays and detergents which get our worktops and basins shining have also been linked to lung damage.
A Norwegian study found people who use household products are at greater risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - which includes the conditions chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Chemicals found in household cleaning products are damaging lung function by 14 per cent more than average over 20 years, a Norwegian study has found
The study looked at 5,000 women over a 20 year period, using data from The European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS).
It found those who clean for a living had a 17 per cent greater decline in lung function compared to the average person.
But even those who simply scrub surfaces at home are were found to suffer from a 14 per cent greater loss of lung function.
This is thought to be because cleaning can expose people to chemical agents like ammonia, which irritate the airways, and other substances that can cause allergic airway disease.
Oistein Svanes, lead author from the University of Bergen, said people need to be more aware of exactly what they are spraying.
'We need to start being much more aware of the chemicals we're releasing into the air we breathe when we use things like cleaning spray.'
COPD kills 25,000 people in the UK annually, either from damage to the walls of tiny air sacs in the lungs (emphysema) or from inflamed and thickened airways plugged with thick mucus (chronic bronchitis).
The findings form part of the Healthy Lungs for Life campaign - by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the European Lung Foundation - seeking to reduce the number of people suffering from lung conditions.
Professor Jørgen Vestbo, President of ERS and Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Manchester, said there were things people could do to help.
'Cleaning products can put people's health at risk so people should be aware of the risks and take steps to mitigate against them,' he said
'If people have genuine concerns they should ensure that they discuss any symptoms and the possible link with their workplace with their doctor'.
The Healthy Lungs for Life campaign says people should check the ingredients and avoid products that could put people at risk and carefully follow instructions on the label.
It also says wipes, rather than sprays, have less airborne particles to breathe and suggests opening doors and windows during and after cleaning to ensure good ventilation.
The research will be presented at the European Respiratory Society’s International Congress in London which starts on Saturday.
www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3764936/Do-hate-cleaning-s-good-excuse-avoid-Chemicals-household-products-increase-risk-lung-damage.htmlWHICH CHEMICALS CAN BE HARMFUL?
Many ingredients can cause asthma if they're being used in the home though not all asthmatics will be affected.
Some of the more common are:
Benzalkonium chloride (quaternary ammonium compound) – typically used
as a disinfectant in household cleaners for floors and hard services
Chlorine-based agents (sodium hypochlorite) – used as the active ingredient
in bleach
Some scents within cleaning agents e.g. limonene, which gives some
products their ‘citrus’ smell
Isothiazolinones – used in some washing up liquids and laundry
washing liquids
Source: Healthy Lungs for Life
. Even with my towels to get that musty smell out at times as well. Along with baking soda. And my special laundry detergent I will not part with arm and hammer. Mountain dew. The best. I can't use cheep I'm allergic I itch and get hives. I put it in a spray bottle to clean my birds cage too. The vinegar. Has to be white vinegar. Or the fruit flies love it 