Cleaning the house with harmful chemicals is worse than smoking 20 a day, experts warns
Inhaling cleaning products’ chemicals raises asthma risk up to 43 per cent in that time
CLEANING your home is as bad for your lungs as smoking 20 a day for 20 years, scientists warn.
Inhaling cleaning products’ chemicals raises asthma risk up to 43 per cent in that time.
Experts say they cause damage to airways, speeding up the decline of our lungs as we age.
Professional cleaners and women suffer most. Men seem unaffected.
Oistein Svanes, of Norway’s Bergen University, said: “Cleaning chemicals very likely cause substantial lung damage. Think of particles from cleansers meant for floors, not lungs, and maybe it’s no surprise.”
The researchers say it is likely the chemicals irritate the lining of the airways, leading to long-term changes in the way they work.
“These chemicals are usually unnecessary - microfibre cloths and water are more than enough for most purposes,” Svanes added.
Dr Samantha Walker, from Asthma UK, said: “It is deeply concerning that this study shows cleaning products can cause long-term lung damage.
“Cleaning products can be toxic for people with asthma as they often contain chemical compounds that can inflame the airways, leaving people prone to an asthma attack.
Asthma UK suggested “using solid or liquid products instead of sprays, avoid scented products and keep the area well ventilated”.
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