Cleaning Chemicals as Bad as 20 Cigarettes per Day

A study out of Bergen University in Norway has found that regular exposure to cleaning products can be just as harmful to your lungs as smoking 20 cigarettes per day. The study, which was conducted over a period of 20 years, concluded that long-term respiratory health is impaired 10-20 years after exposure to cleaning activities.

The research team looked at the lung function of 6,235 women between the ages of 20 and 44 who were exposed to chemicals in cleaners on a regular basis. They found that these women had a greater decline in their lung function than those who weren't exposed to such chemicals. This suggests that even short term exposure can have long-term effects on your respiratory health.

It's important to note that this study only looked at the effects of cleaning products on women's lungs, so more research needs to be done before we can draw any conclusions about how it affects men's lungs. However, it does suggest that we should all take extra precautions when using cleaning products and make sure we're using them safely and correctly.

If you're concerned about the potential risks associated with using cleaning products, there are some steps you can take to reduce your exposure. Try switching to natural or organic cleaners whenever possible, and make sure you always use them in well-ventilated areas. You should also wear protective gear like gloves and masks when handling strong chemicals, and never mix different types of cleaners together as this could create hazardous fumes.

Overall, this Norwegian study out of Bergen University is an important reminder that we should all be mindful of the potential risks associated with using cleaning products regularly. Taking simple precautions like wearing protective gear and switching to natural or organic cleaners can help reduce our exposure and keep us safe from any potential harm caused by these chemicals.

Sources:

• https://www.uib.no/en/cih/127475/cleaning-can-be-bad-your-health
• https://www.bbc.com/news/health-43085674