What Cleaning Chemicals Trigger Asthma and Make Respiratory Conditions Worse – read here! More than 235 million people in the world have asthma. Chances are either now or at some point, you will have someone in your office with asthma. Among children, asthma is a particularly common condition.

The challenge for an office or place of business is how to complete cleaning with minimal chemicals as not to cause an allergy, asthma, or respiratory response in people with asthma and similar conditions.

Why do cleaners make asthma worse?

Asthma and respiratory conditions worsen when they are exposed to chemicals and allergens. Though cleaning products can appear safe, a lot of us tend to overuse them and/or use products that are filled with a ton of unnecessary chemicals.

It is bad enough that workers have to come into physical contact with things that have been improperly cleaned with these chemicals. Things only get way worse when those chemicals send fumes into the air.

Just as an example, a recent study analyzing air quality in Los Angeles found there was as much petroleum pollution that came from refined cleaning products used indoors as there was expelled from vehicle exhaust pipes.

This says a lot about how worse off our air has gotten with the use of chemical cleaners. Petroleum is not the only polluting irritant that comes off cleaners and disinfectants. The Environmental Working Group estimates inside the average home, air quality is 2-5 times more polluted than the outdoor air.

What impact do cleaning chemicals have on the lungs?

The irritants from cleaning chemicals weaken the lungs and immune system. One study published by the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found chemical-based cleaners potentially as worse on the lungs as smoking a pack of cigarettes every day for a decade. Though some in the industry may argue that conclusion, there’s no disputing chemical cleaners aren’t good for you.

Another area outside of asthma and general respiratory conditions that chemical cleaners impact are allergies. If you notice while you’re cleaning, you’re experiencing a runny nose, coughing, and itchy eyes, this is likely an allergy. If this is the case, you may want to change the products you are using. There are several natural, eco-friendly cleaners that do not have this effect, as well as DIY-based alternatives that avoid chemicals altogether.

It is integral that when shopping for cleaners and disinfectants for the office or your home to know what’s in them. The ingredients should be listed and easily readable. When you don’t know what’s in a cleaner, you run the risk of buying something you think is healthier than it is. Unfortunately, keywords like ‘green’ and ‘biodegradable’ can still mean that chemicals are involved.

What chemicals in cleaners are the worst for asthma and allergies?

Here is a collection of common chemicals in cleaners and disinfectants that will make your asthma or allergies worse.

  • Formaldehyde
  • Synthetic fragrances
  • Quaternary ammonia compounds
  • Methylisothiazolinone

Why is formaldehyde a bad chemical in cleaners?

Formaldehyde is a skin irritant and allergy trigger. It is also a cancer-causing carcinogen commonly found in laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents, and is used in bleach cleaner. Formaldehyde is used as a synthetic preservative or anti-bacterial agent. Though extremely effective as a cleaner, it is something that is best avoided especially when one is exposed to it daily.

Why are synthetic fragrances in cleaning products a danger?

Synthetic fragrances and air fresheners are asthma triggers and come from a category of chemicals known as phthalates. This type of chemical can be absorbed through the skin and inhaled.

What’s truly terrible about synthetic fragrances in cleaners is that they are very deceptive with how they’re written. For example, a fragrance can be listed as a single product when in fact it’s created with multiple unnamed chemicals. It is legal to do this because a company defines a ‘fragrance’ or a ‘perfume’ as a trade secret.

What are the quaternary ammonia compounds?

For brevity’s sake, we’ll refer to quaternary ammonia compounds as ‘QUATS’. These are a chemical class used in disinfectants, anti-bacterials, and fabric softeners. They are an asthma trigger, with some studies even showing that they can potentially cause asthma to develop in otherwise healthy people. QUATS exist in approximately 40 percent of all anti-bacterial products.

What is methylisothiazolinone?

Methylisothiazolinone is a synthetic chemical used for its properties as an antimicrobial. Also a synthetic preservative, it is a common chemical unfortunately used in ‘green’ and ‘biodegradable’ alternatives. Despite it being promoted as healthy, it isn’t. Multiple studies show methylisothiazolinone to be related to respiratory irritation, skin sensitivity, skin burns, and permanent eye damage.

Are there other cleaning chemicals that should be avoided?

Although this article’s about the connection between cleaning chemicals and asthma or respiratory illness, let’s be clear. There are many chemicals used in commercial cleaners that cause all sorts of negative effects through prolonged long-term exposure. Here’s just a few more of them.

  • Butoxyethanol is used in a lot of commercial-grade liquid dish soaps, degreasers, glass cleaners, and all-purpose cleaners. Butoxyethanol is also linked with reduced fertility.
  • Chlorine used in cleaning products is known to irritate the lungs and potentially impact the nervous system.
  • Triclosan is an endocrine disruptor and is known to interfere with a person’s thyroid hormone metabolism. Furthermore, exposure to triclosan at an early age is linked with increased risks of developing allergies, asthma, and eczema.
  • Sulphates are found in detergents of all varieties and are known to irritate the skin, eyes, mouth, and lungs.
  • Phthalates, in addition to causing asthma, can also cause cancer, hormone disruption, birth defects, and chemical burns to the eyes and skin.

What can I use to clean my office that isn’t going to trigger respiratory illnesses?

We need cleaners. We can’t just not clean our homes and places of business. With all these chemicals though, you may be thinking what cleaners can I actually use to clean my office with?

Well, first off, you don’t need chemicals and you don’t need toxins in your cleaners. There’s no reason for them. Check your cleaning products’ labels. If they have any of the four chemicals listed, get rid of them.

Do keep in mind, once again, there are some cleaners and disinfectants that will promote themselves as healthy and safe but they won’t be. The rate of greenwashing in cleaning is surprisingly high.

You want to look at eco-friendly cleaning products that have their ingredients listed and which contain no synthetic chemicals.

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