Asthma may be triggered by household products

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

There is a new link between household sprays and asthma according to a European study.
Many of us use sprays to ease housework - for cleaning furniture, windows, carpets and kitchens. But beware, for these sprays can trigger asthma, say researchers in Barcelona. It turns out that the Spaniards are the biggest users of household cleaning sprays, according to the survey - with 67 per cent of those participating, followed by those from the UK, France, Estonia and Belgium.

Further analysis showed that those using the sprays up to three times a week had a 40 per cent increased risk of developing asthma. And those who use the sprays every day or on alternative days had a risk of asthma of 70 per cent more compared to those who didn't use the sprays. It looks as if the tiny particles in the sprays may trigger the onset of asthma in the lungs of those who are susceptible. Room sprays, furniture and window sprays may be the worst offenders according to the researchers.

Source
European Respiratory Society meeting 18th September 2005

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