Sprays that take your breath away!

[19 October 2007 - 12h20]

Could asthma in adults stem to some extent from the use of air freshener sprays? A new Spanish study in fact points the finger at the toxicity of these products which, it seems may be responsible for “a substantial increase in the risk of asthma” later in life.

To reach this conclusion, Dr Jan-Paul Zock and his colleagues at the Municipal Institute of Medical Research, Barcelona, reviewed the data of a longitudinal study – the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS). This study involved 3,500 people who, among other things, had reported on the frequency with which they had used air freshener sprays. Their respiratory capacity was also evaluated.

From this it would seem that “frequent use of air fresheners increases the risk of asthma in adulthood”, concludes Dr Zock. An increased risk that can rise as high as … 50% among those men and women who use these products more than once a week. This concerns sprays and other commonly used odour diffusers. Even window cleaning sprays are singled out…

The danger posed by air fresheners had already been pointed out by the French consumer organisation UFC-Que Choisir back in 2004. At that time the consumer protection association had drawn attention to the presence in these of allergens, carcinogenic products and even phtalate, an endocrine disruptor!

Source : American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 12 October 2007

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