Society of Environmental and Occupational Health
Society of Environment and Occupational Health
Society of Environment and Occupational Health
Bronchial Asthma in Children and Home Products
The price we are paying for interfering with our elemental God-given environment
“Day by day we are looking for stronger & stronger products for home cleaning”
Babies frequently exposed to cleaning & many other frequently used home products are at higher risk of asthma and also as adults.
Air fresheners, deodorizers, dusting sprays, hand sanitizers, oven cleaners , mosquito repellents, scented candles etc.,– the frequent exposure to these common household products, of which the cleaning products constitute the bulk, can increase a child's risk of developing asthma. Also the first few months of life are critical to the development of a baby's immune and respiratory systems. The risks of recurrent wheeze and asthma were notably higher in homes with frequent use of certain products, such as liquid or solid air fresheners, plug-in deodorizers, dusting sprays, antimicrobial hand sanitizers and oven cleaners, scented candles and incense etc.
We must realize & believe that the smell of a healthy home is no smell at all.
A study used data from 2,022 children enrolled in the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development cohort study and examined their daily, weekly and monthly exposure to 26 types of household cleaners, including dishwashing and laundry detergents, cleaners, disinfectants, polishes and air fresheners. By the age of three, 7.9 per cent of those living in homes where cleaning products were used frequently had asthma. That's compared to nearly 5 per cent diagnosed from homes that used low amounts of products.
And since manufacturers are not required listing all ingredients, we don’t always know what all we are getting exposed to.
That is a technical dead end for the researchers & treating physicians.
Infants typically spend most of their time indoors and come in regular contact with household surfaces, making them especially vulnerable to chemical exposure.
What to do:
Choose cleaning products that are not sprayed or contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are gases emitted from solids or liquids that can be found in aerosol sprays, paints, glue, cleansers and disinfectants etc. and thus reducing VOC exposure. Noting health effects may include breathing problems, irritation of eyes, nose and throat, and headaches.
Please be warned that some ’green’ products may also contain harmful substances, the first thing manufacturers have in their minds is the commercial aspect, & salability of the product and a ‘green’ label provides an easy conscience to buyers.
Seek alternatives:
Surprisingly, studies show that indoor air pollution can be five to ten times worse than outdoor air pollution. And that’s thanks mostly in part to the products and the cleaning items that we have in our home.
While it can be confusing for consumers to know what ingredients could add to indoor pollution, an easy guide; look for ingredients that use common terms and are easy to read, and avoid those that contain ammonia, coal tar dyes and fragrance or perfumes.
If a label has the word’ fragrance’ or ‘perfume’ on it, avoid it. Don't buy it, these terms generally involve undisclosed chemicals & usually a mix of many.
It would be preferable to use diffusers, if at all- for freshening, and even avoid scented candles.
For do-it-yourself cleaners use hydrogen peroxide, vinegar and baking soda as a soap substitute, the non-toxic chemicals.
These ‘exotic’ chemicals can be harmful not only for children but adults as well, particularly if someone has respiratory problems, and also for the environment.