Asthma and Cleaning Supplies

Whether it’s a springtime ritual, a way to remove pet hair or your toddler colored on the wall, cleaning is a good idea.

However, what you’re using to get out that carpet stain or kill germs could pose a breathing risk to your or your family—especially if someone is asthmatic.

Here’s what you can do instead.

Avoid VOCs. Many cleaning supplies release chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that irritate the throat and eyes, spark headaches and are linked to cancer. According to the American Lung Association, even products labeled as environmentally friendly can contain these compounds, including:

• Aerosol sprays
• Air fresheners
• Chlorine bleach
• Detergent and dishwashing liquid
• Rug and upholstery cleaner
• Furniture and floor polish
• Oven cleaner

Never mix cleaning supplies. Mixing bleach and ammonia, for example, creates a toxic gas called chloramine. This deadly mix can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs, but severe cases have led to coma and death. If this accidentally occurs, leave the area immediately and get fresh air. If you have difficulty breathing, call 911, then the poison control center.

Read the labels. The American Lung Association says manufacturers aren’t required to disclose every ingredient in a product. Avoid VOCs, fragrances, irritants, air fresheners and flammable ingredients to be on the safe side. If you still feel unsure, good replacements for store-bought products are soap, water, vinegar and baking soda. The Environmental Working Group also offers a “Guide to Healthy Cleaning”.

Even if no one in your house or workplace suffers from asthma, looking out for VOCs could prevent asthma in the future. In 2020, a study in a Canadian medical journal linked household cleaning product use early in life to wheezing and asthma risk in kids under three. Another study found weekly chemical cleaner use can decrease overall lung function.

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