Using Bleach Regularly Increases the Risk of Serious Lung Conditions

Persistent use of bleach and other disinfectants increases the risk of COPD

(Mirror Daily, United States) – A team of researchers from Harvard University and the National Institute of Health and Medical Research in France have developed a study which has serious implications for cleaners, nurses, or people who have to use bleach or other similar cleaning products daily. Using these products regularly greatly increases their risk of developing serious lung diseases.

Nurses and people who often use bleach put themselves at great risks

Using bleach and other similar cleaning products is a must for many people, especially when they have a job in cleaning or in other field which require disinfection. However, the study showed even using such products once a week is enough to increase the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by a third.

For the study, researchers collected data from 55,000 American nurses. They took into account their levels of exposure to bleach, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or another disinfecting substances, such as quaternary ammonium compounds. Exposure to all of these products was associated with an increase between 24 percent and 32 percent of the COPD risk.

This is the first study to link disinfectants with high COPD risk

COPD is actually not a single disease, but a general term used to define serious lung diseases. These include asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema. All these conditions affect many people, and most of them do not survive. There are several millions of people who die of COPD every year.

Older studies discovered a link between persistent use of bleach and breathing problems. However, this was the first one to clearly identify a relation between COPD and disinfectants. Researchers and doctors used to neglect the impact bleach has on lung conditions, but this study should open our eyes and prove there are great risks if you use such products on a regular basis.
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Melissa Gansler

Melissa calls herself Poet, essayist, and naturalist. Graduated from the University of Michigan, Melissa holds a degree in Literature. Besides English, she can also speak Chinese, German, French.