Asthma and the Use of Household Cleaning Sprays
There has been accumulating evidence that cleaning workers are at an increased risk for asthma and that specific professional cleaning products such as bleach and sprays are associated with asthma. Many professional cleaning products are also used in private households. Recently a European based epidemiological study was published that investigated the risk of new-onset asthma in relation to the use of common household cleaners. (1)
Twenty-two centers from 10 European countries followed-up around 3500 participants that took part in this investigation.The length of the follow-up averaged 9 years. Of the study participants, two-thirds that were doing the cleaning and/or washing were women (ranging from 57 to 87% across the countries) and only 9% of the participants were full-time homemakers. Cleaning products investigated include:
- Washing powders
- Liquid multiuse cleaning products
- Polishes, waxes
- Bleach
- Ammonia
- Decalcifiers, acids
- Solvents, stain removers
- Furniture sprays
- Glass-cleaning sprays
- Sprays for carpets, rugs, curtains
- Sprays for mopping the floor
- Oven sprays
- Ironing sprays
- Air-refreshing sprays
A positive association with asthma was observed for cleaning sprays in general; particularly furniture, glass-cleaning and air-refreshing sprays. The use of any product in spray form and its association with asthma was then studied in further detail. The risk of using cleaning sprays at least weekly was evaluated after patients were stratified for sex, smoking and atopy. The association between spray use and asthma was similar across all groups. When the use of sprays was classified according to the frequency of use and according to the number of different types used at least weekly, a dose related response was found. When the investigators adjusted for occupational exposures to asthmagens or for socioeconomic status it did not alter the findings.
This epidemiological study, the first to look at adult asthma and the possible relationship to non-occupational use of common household products, found an association of the use of products in spray form and the incidence of asthma.
Sprays and conventional liquid cleaning products contain similar active compounds such as alcohols, ammonia, chlorine-releasing agents, glycols, acryl polmers and terpenes. The use of sprays most likely enhances the respiratory exposure to these products and probably explains why an association wasn’t found with liquid products and asthma. The association with asthma and liquid products may need to be investigate further because there are many factors, including dilution, surface to which they are used and ambient temperature that may affect inhalatory exposure.
The mechanism for asthma and its association with the use of cleaning sprays is at least partially irritant induced. From occupational settings we know that asthma can follow a one-time high-level irritant exposure, but it is also becoming acceptable that low-level exposures to respiratory irritants can a cause asthma as well. This would explain how repeated household exposures to cleaning sprays are associated with asthma.
The authors of this investigation point out the possible significance of this study.
“Findings of our study may have significant implications for public health. Relative risks of 1.3 to 1.5 in combination with an overall proportion of 42% of weekly spray users suggest a population attributable fraction of about 15%. In other words, one in seven adult asthma cases could be attributed to common spray use”
The frequent use of household cleaning sprays may be a significant risk factor for adult asthma. More studies will need to be done to confirm this and hopefully the will also focus on the chemical compositions and the mechanisms that are the cause of this risk factor.
Over the past few years I have in my household been switching to as many organic or natural cleaning products as I can. I have done this with mostly ecological concerns in mind but we must really start to think about all the chemicals around is at home, work and even in outside that we spray and apply everywhere.
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1. Zock J, Plana E, Jarvis D, et al. The Use of Household Cleaning Sprays and Adult Asthma: An International Longitudinal Study. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2007;176:735-40.
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