The household chemicals are harmful to the lungs of children

According to a study to be published in the March issue of the European Journal of Pneumology (ERJ), the frequent use of household chemicals (disinfectants, aerosol deodorants…) by women who are pregnant or shortly after birth, may affect the health of their children.

John Henderson and his colleagues at the British University of Bristol examined the frequency of use of 15 household chemicals (disinfectants, bleach, carpet cleaning products or carpeting, aerosol deodorants, Compound white-spirit, insecticides, paints and varnishes, paint strippers…) by pregnant women. They were also concerned with the consequences of such use on respiratory functions of their children.

The British study focused on 7,162 children. Their mothers completed a questionnaire about their use of 15 household chemicals. Asthma is the most common cause of chronic wheezing in children has been taken into account in the study and respiratory and skin tests were made with children.

Lower respiratory capacity

According to the authors of the study, the results show that children with a mother who frequently uses household chemicals in late pregnancy and shortly after birth, are more wheezing during childhood and decreased their Respiratory capacity at the age of 8.

John Henderson clarified to AFP that the study was not designed to determine which product has the most impact on children's health. According to him, further studies are needed to confirm these results