Cleaners, Solvents May Raise Kids’ Asthma Risk

The fumes emitted from home cleaning products and solvents may increase the risk of childhood asthma, according to a new Australian study.

The fumes emitted from home cleaning products and solvents may increase the risk of childhood asthma, according to a new Australian study.The study included 88 toddlers with asthma and 104 without asthma. The children were tested for allergic reactions, and their parents filled out detailed questionnaires about the children’s health.Researchers at Curtin University of Technology in Perth also assessed levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the children’s homes. VOCs are found in cigarette smoke, cleaning products, room fresheners, polishes, fitted carpets, solvents, paints, and floor adhesives.Indoor levels of VOCs were much higher in the homes of children with asthma. The highest asthma risk was associated with benzene, ethylbenzene, and toluene.The study authors concluded that their study, though small, supports their theory that exposure to indoor pollutants early in life may be an important factor in later development of asthma.The research was published Thursday in the journal Thorax.In another study, researchers from the University of Sydney found no association between the current use of indoor heating appliances that emit fumes and the development of respiratory problems in children. But the researchers did find a 47 percent greater likelihood of wheezing and hyperactive airways among children who lived in a home with this type of heater during the first year of life.(Source: Forbes Health, August 2004)