Spring cleaning could make asthma symptoms worse, according to a new study. The scientists studied 21 women who worked for cleaning services in Barcelona, Spain. All of the women had had asthma symptoms in the past year.
Over the course of two weeks, they recorded all the cleaning products they used and how they were used. During those two weeks, they also kept track of symptoms.
Respiratory Symptoms from Cleaning Products
Seventeen of the women had runny noses, sneezing or scratchy throats, and 18 of them had wheezing, coughing or chest pain. The symptoms were worse after the women had used bleach, ammonia or hydrochloric acid, and the lung problems often lasted until the next day.
The researchers recommend that such irritating chemicals not be used in the home, where they are rarely necessary. They also suggest that commercial cleaning personnel should use protective gear to limit their exposure to volatile chemicals.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, online May 23, 2015
