Household cleaning products 'linked to infant asthma'

13 Mar 2008

Exposure to household chemicals and cleaning products during pregnancy has been linked to childhood asthma, according to the Daily Mail.

Research published the European Respiratory Journal found that mothers who used cleaning products such as bleach and air freshener while pregnant or soon after the birth increased their child's risk of developing symptoms of asthma by up to 41%.

Lead researcher of the study, Dr John Henderson, an expert in paediatric respiratory medicine at Bristol University, told the Daily Mail: "We think that is perhaps due to irritant effects of the chemicals on the child after birth, which may cause inflammation of the airways leading to development of asthma.

"This research points to direct effects of chemical-exposure on lung development or irritation of the airways after birth."

The study revealed that household chemicals most commonly used by expectant and new mums include disinfectant and bleach, which are used by four out of five mothers.

Findings show that window cleaner, air fresheners and aerosols can be found in two-thirds of homes.

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