Close X
Saturday, November 2, 2024
ADVT 
Health

Babies Frequently Exposed To Cleaning Products At Higher Risk Of Asthma: Study

The Canadian Press, 18 Feb, 2020 05:38 PM

    VANCOUVER - New research suggests frequent exposure to common household cleaning products can increase a child's risk of developing asthma.

     

    The CHILD Cohort Study found young infants living in homes where cleaning products were used frequently were more likely to develop childhood wheeze and asthma by age three.

     

    Lead author Jaclyn Parks, a health sciences graduate student at Simon Fraser University, said 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," Parks said in a release.

     

    "It may be important for people to consider removing scented spray cleaning products from their cleaning routine. We believe that the smell of a healthy home is no smell at all."

     

    The study was published Tuesday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

     

    The 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 five per cent diagnosed from homes that used low amounts of products.

     

    Data were collected between 2008 and 2015.

     

    Researchers also found the relationship between product exposure and respiratory problems was much stronger in girls than boys.

     

    Lead researcher Tim Takaro of Simon Fraser University noted infants typically spend most of their time indoors and come in regular contact with household surfaces, making them especially vulnerable to chemical exposure.

     

    The findings suggest that small, preventive changes could help families with children at risk of asthma. That could include choosing 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.

     

    Health Canada recommends reducing VOC exposure, noting health effects may include breathing problems, irritation of eyes, nose and throat, and headaches.

     

    But manufacturers in Canada and the United States are not required to list all ingredients in cleaning products. Some "green" products may also contain harmful substances, said the study.

     

    The research team included experts at Simon Fraser University; the University of British Columbia; McMaster University; the University of Alberta; the University of Manitoba; the University of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

     

    Funding came from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Allergy, Genes and Environment Network of Centres of Excellence.

     

    MORE Health ARTICLES

    High-Fat Diet Also Bad For Brain

    High-Fat Diet Also Bad For Brain
    A high-fat diet also appears to prompt normally bustling immune cells in our brain to become sedentary and start consuming the connections between our neurons, a new study has found.

    High-Fat Diet Also Bad For Brain

    Produce Used In Costco Chicken Salad Linked To E. Coli Is Undergoing Recall

    Produce Used In Costco Chicken Salad Linked To E. Coli Is Undergoing Recall
    SAN FRANCISCO — Federal officials say a business is recalling a vegetable mix believed to be the source of E.coli in Costco chicken salad that has been linked to an outbreak that has sickened 19 people in seven states.

    Produce Used In Costco Chicken Salad Linked To E. Coli Is Undergoing Recall

    10,000 Syrian Refugees To Be Resettled By Year's End, 15,000 More By February

    10,000 Syrian Refugees To Be Resettled By Year's End, 15,000 More By February
    OTTAWA — The Liberal government revealed Tuesday that its promise to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees will take longer and cost more than originally planned.

    10,000 Syrian Refugees To Be Resettled By Year's End, 15,000 More By February

    Aging Population Sparks Investor Interest In Health-Care Real Estate Assets

    As aging baby boomers fuel growing demand for health-care services, investors are increasingly turning their attention to medical office buildings — a niche within the real estate market that some argue is recession proof.

    Aging Population Sparks Investor Interest In Health-Care Real Estate Assets

    Born With No Voice & Low Survival Odds, 4-Year-Old Boy Talks With Voice Box Made Of His Own Tissue

    Born With No Voice & Low Survival Odds, 4-Year-Old Boy Talks With Voice Box Made Of His Own Tissue
    Grant Hasse was born with two very rare conditions — one that's usually fatal, the other that should have left him unable to talk.

    Born With No Voice & Low Survival Odds, 4-Year-Old Boy Talks With Voice Box Made Of His Own Tissue

    Indian-Origin Man's Firm Raises Funds For Diabetes Cure

    Indian-Origin Man's Firm Raises Funds For Diabetes Cure
    An Indian-origin man's company organised a diabetes awareness walk in Dubai and raised funds to support on-going research to cure the disease, a media report said here on Saturday.

    Indian-Origin Man's Firm Raises Funds For Diabetes Cure