Sprays and Asthma

A study published by the American Thoracic Society in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, stated that household sprays like air fresheners, furniture sprays, and glass-cleaners cause one in seven adults to suffer from asthma.

Using spray cleaners just once a week can lead to an asthma attack. The more these sprays are used the more likely one will suffer from asthma.

This discovery can explain why countries like New Zealand, which despite high air quality, has high numbers of people with asthma.

Not only do household sprays affect those who do not have respiratory problems, but they obviously worsen symptoms in those who do have asthma.

The international study examined 3,503 people who used air fresheners and cleaning sprays, ages 20 to 44, in ten European countries. Two-thirds of those examined were women, but only 9 % were housewives.

Six percent developed asthma symptoms. Forty-two percent used household sprays at least once a week, and this group increased their risk of asthma symptoms by 30 to 50 percent.

Some toxic chemicals klinked to asthma include ammonia, chlorine-releasing agents and sodium hydroxide. The UK Cleaning Products Industry Association stated that they constantly check the safety of their products.

Summarized by: Stephanie Sandoval

Source: Smith, Lewis. 2007. Household sprays ‘linked to one in seven cases of asthma'.

http://foxnews.com (accessed October 30, 2007).