In a recent review of the damaging effects of household cleaning products on the lungs,

researchers noted that the adverse respiratory effects of cleaning products were first

observed in populations

experiencing high levels of exposure at the workplace, such as cleaners and health care workers,

with a primary focus on asthma.

But the occupational use of disinfectants has also been linked to a higher risk of developing

chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases like emphysema.

And now we know it's not just workplace exposures, but also common household exposures

that are risk factors for respiratory disorders in childhood, as well potentially

an important risk factor for adult asthma with common household cleaning spray use

accounting for as many as one in seven adult

asthma cases.

The thought is that the inhalation of chemical irritants may cause injury of the airways that

leads to oxidative stress and inflammation.

Okay.

So what can we do about it?

Well, it may indeed be limited to sprays.

Cleaning products not applied in spray form were not associated with asthma, and it's possible

that environmentally friendly cleaning products may represent a safer alternative, though

they may still present some risk.

Ideally, safer cleaning products should be available. Unfortunately, the research suggesting

harm has seldom been heated by manufacturers, vendors, and commercial cleaning companies.

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