Common household products should carry asthma warnings, research concludes.

[2greys]

Commonly-used household products should carry a warning that they increase the risk of asthma, according to a new evidence review.

New research conducted by Smartline, a research project funded by the European Regional Development Fund, finds evidence that a group of chemicals found in a wide range of products in people’s homes increases the risk of asthma. Authors conclude that labelling should reflect this risk, and warn people to ventilate their homes while using them.

The research reviewed 12 studies into Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products, including some that are widely used as ingredients in household products. Paints, varnishes and wax, many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing and hobby products may all contain ingredients that emit VOCs. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently up to ten times higher indoors than outdoors.

The research, led by the University of Exeter, provides collective evidence that, for adults the composition of many VOCs found in household products increase the risk of asthma. These particles and compounds vary from by household, caused by factors like leaks in building fabric, heating and ventilation systems, damp, smoking, cleaning products and aerosols.

exeter.ac.uk/news/research/...

Environmental Research.. Research Paper:

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

[CDPO16]

Agree wholeheartedly. They can also have adverse effects on any one with lung disease as I have discovered in recent years.

[Yatzy]

Thanks, 2g, matches my experience fully. Good to read a uni study on the subject.

[Aingeful]

I wish I'd known this years ago. My lungs wouldn't be in the state that they are now!

[katieoxo60]

Whole heartedly agree . We are all different but little bits of advice can help on which materials or sprays ect can cause or exasperate Asthma. Even the inhalers don't suit all. Thanks for your post.

[TwoDrifters in reply to katieoxo60]

This study is miniscule compared to some of the data I have seen. There are at least 80,000 untested chemicals in use world wide, and very many household products are complicated mixtures of chemicals. Never use anything with an added smell in it...just don't do it. There are many chemicals with hormonal properties, see the book Our Stolen Future. And many chemicals cause diseases...the stories I could tell about smoking for instance. I am a chemist and I quickly leant as a lab assistant how to protect myself.

[stamford1234]

Yes, all that. Thanks for the reminder. I have been "spring" cleaning while Duncan in hospital. Cleaning products - spray bottles - fancy flavours all take their toll