| In a study published in the October 15th edition of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, researchers investigated the risk of new-onset asthma in relation to the use of common household cleaners. Researchers utilized a 10 country database, called the European Community Respiratory Health Survey, to identify over 3,500 people who do the cleaning in their homes and are free of asthma. Frequency of use of 15 types of cleaning products was obtained during in-person interviews at follow-up and participants were asked if they had been diagnosed by a physician as having asthma, or had asthma symptoms or had used asthma medications. Results showed that 42% of participants used cleaning sprays at least once a week and this increased the incidence of asthma symptoms or medication and wheeze. The incidence of physician diagnosed asthma was higher among those using sprays at least 4 days per week. Risks were predominately found for the commonly used glass cleaning, furniture, and air freshening sprays. Cleaning products not applied in spray form were not associated with asthma. To view the abstract of this study, visit http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/176/8/735. |
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