Early exposure of babies to household cleaning products is associated with the development of childhood asthma and wheeze by age 3 years, a new study suggests.
"Our study looked at infants, who typically spend 80 per cent-90 per cent of their time indoors and are especially vulnerable to chemical exposures through the lungs and skin due to their higher respiration rates and regular contact with household surfaces," said study lead researcher Tim Takaro from Simon Fraser university in Canada.
The most common cleaning products used were hand dishwashing soap, dishwasher detergent, multisurface cleaners, glass cleaners and laundry soap.The researchers found an association between early exposure to cleaning products and risk of asthma and wheeze. According to the study, scented and sprayed cleaning products were associated with the highest risk of respiratory issues.
