Following on from last weeks article on Womens increased risk of cancer from chemical overuse...... an article on the effect of Air Fresheners on Pregnant Women, Foetus, and Infants following birth:
Air fresheners and aerosols can make babies and their mothers ill
19. October 2004 07:46
Air fresheners and aerosols can make babies and their mothers ill, research from the University of Bristol’s Children of the 90s study has revealed.
A number of previous studies have shown that air fresheners and aerosols are responsible for high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the home.
Children of the 90s (ALSPAC), which has followed the health and development of 14,000 children since before birth, is the first study to investigate the effects of VOCs on infants.
The researchers found that frequent use of air fresheners and aerosols during pregnancy and early childhood was associated with higher levels of diarrhoea, earache and other symptoms in infants, as well as headaches and depression in mothers.
32 per cent more babies suffered diarrhoea in homes where air fresheners (including sticks, sprays and aerosols) were used every day, compared with homes where they were used once a week or less.
They also suffered more from earache. Daily use of aerosols such as polish, deodorant and hairspray was associated with a 30 per cent increase in cases of diarrhoea and, to a lesser extent, an increase in vomiting
Air fresheners and aerosols also affected mothers, with those who used them daily suffering nearly 10 per cent more headaches.
The most surprising result is the link between maternal depression and air fresheners. 16 per cent of mothers who used fresheners reported depression, compared with 12.7 per cent of those who seldom used them. This represents an increased risk of over 26 per cent.
The ALSPAC study monitored levels of VOCs in 170 randomly selected homes for a year to establish the household products most likely to raise levels of VOCs. In addition, over 10,000 mothers completed questionnaires about their use of these products. They also reported at various points during pregnancy and childhood on symptoms suffered by themselves and their children.
The paper’s lead author, Dr Alexanda Farrow of the School of Health Sciences and Social Care.at Brunel University, says: “Over 40 per cent of families in the ALSPAC study reported using air fresheners regularly. People may think that using these products makes their homes cleaner and healthier, but being cleaner may not necessarily mean being healthier.
“Air fresheners combined with other aerosol and household products contribute to a complex mixture of chemicals and a build-up of VOCs in the home environment. Pregnant women and babies up to six months may be particularly susceptible to the effects of this, because they spend around 80 per cent of their time at home. There may also be implications for other groups who are at home a good deal, such as old people.
“More research is needed, but in the meantime, it might be safer to limit use of air fresheners and aerosols in the home. Squeezing a lemon is just as effective at freshening the air.”
Study taken from:
http://www.bris.ac.uk
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House Proud Women Cancer Risk
An Excerpt from a recent study published on Bigpond News .... a good reason to change to fibre based cleaning
Home » Health
House-proud women cancer risk
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 » 10:15am
House-proud women who like to keep their homes clean and fragrant may be at greater risk of breast cancer, research suggests.
Scientists found significant links between the disease and women's use of cleaning products, air fresheners and mould removers.
General use of cleaners doubled the risk of breast cancer in women who used them the most, experts found.
Among the different kinds of products, air fresheners and mould and mildew removers had the strongest association.
In contrast, mothballs, pesticides and insect repellents had little impact on breast cancer risk.
US researchers conducted telephone interviews with 787 women aged 60 to 80 years old in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with breast cancer and 721 healthy women also in that age range.
The women were asked about their use of cleaning products and pesticides, and split into four groups ranging between high and low users. Cancer rates for the different groups were then compared.
Study leader Dr Julia Brody, from the Silent Spring Institute in Newton, Massachusetts, said: 'Women who reported the highest combined cleaning product use had a doubled risk of breast cancer compared to those with the lowest reported use.
'Use of air fresheners and products for mould and mildew control were associated with increased risk. To our knowledge, this is the first published report on cleaning product use and risk of breast cancer.'
Air fresheners were found to double breast cancer risk among women in the highest-use group, as did weekly use of mould and mildew-removing agents.
Many pesticides, household cleaners and air fresheners contain ingredients known to trigger breast cancer in animals, said the researchers.
Some were also made with endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that could theoretically affect the growth of oestrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells.
Hormone-disruptors such as synthetic musks and phthalates were commonly used in air fresheners, said the scientists. Air fresheners may also contain chemicals called terpenes which can react with ozone in the air to form cancer triggers such as formaldehyde, benzene and styrene, they added.
'Although exposure levels may be low and EDCs are typically less potent than endogenous hormones, limited knowledge of product formulations, exposure levels and the biological activity and toxicity of chemical constituents alone and in combination make it difficult to assess risks associated with product use,' the researchers wrote.
Home » Health
House-proud women cancer risk
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 » 10:15am
House-proud women who like to keep their homes clean and fragrant may be at greater risk of breast cancer, research suggests.
Scientists found significant links between the disease and women's use of cleaning products, air fresheners and mould removers.
General use of cleaners doubled the risk of breast cancer in women who used them the most, experts found.
Among the different kinds of products, air fresheners and mould and mildew removers had the strongest association.
In contrast, mothballs, pesticides and insect repellents had little impact on breast cancer risk.
US researchers conducted telephone interviews with 787 women aged 60 to 80 years old in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with breast cancer and 721 healthy women also in that age range.
The women were asked about their use of cleaning products and pesticides, and split into four groups ranging between high and low users. Cancer rates for the different groups were then compared.
Study leader Dr Julia Brody, from the Silent Spring Institute in Newton, Massachusetts, said: 'Women who reported the highest combined cleaning product use had a doubled risk of breast cancer compared to those with the lowest reported use.
'Use of air fresheners and products for mould and mildew control were associated with increased risk. To our knowledge, this is the first published report on cleaning product use and risk of breast cancer.'
Air fresheners were found to double breast cancer risk among women in the highest-use group, as did weekly use of mould and mildew-removing agents.
Many pesticides, household cleaners and air fresheners contain ingredients known to trigger breast cancer in animals, said the researchers.
Some were also made with endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that could theoretically affect the growth of oestrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells.
Hormone-disruptors such as synthetic musks and phthalates were commonly used in air fresheners, said the scientists. Air fresheners may also contain chemicals called terpenes which can react with ozone in the air to form cancer triggers such as formaldehyde, benzene and styrene, they added.
'Although exposure levels may be low and EDCs are typically less potent than endogenous hormones, limited knowledge of product formulations, exposure levels and the biological activity and toxicity of chemical constituents alone and in combination make it difficult to assess risks associated with product use,' the researchers wrote.
Lismore 4wd, Caravan and Camping Show
FIRSTLY .... CONGRATULATIONS to the winner of our Survey Competition R Clift
WOW...what a great three days. The weather was kinder to us than expected and the crowds came.
It was great to meet so many people keen to change their cleaning habits to the best alternative....Fibre Based Cleaning with Ha-Ra.
Thanks to all the other exhibitors who sent those interested our way.
There were a couple of things I purchased myself (why exhibitors shouldn't take their wallets to any shows)
As Ian is a Coeliac we bought a set of Earth Friend cooking liners - these toaster bags and liners are cotton based and contain no teflon. They are going to make cooking when we are away easier as we can be sure there is no cross contamination from cooking surfaces
And my hubbie and I have pictures on the wall of our dream camper for when we retire.
WOW...what a great three days. The weather was kinder to us than expected and the crowds came.
It was great to meet so many people keen to change their cleaning habits to the best alternative....Fibre Based Cleaning with Ha-Ra.
Thanks to all the other exhibitors who sent those interested our way.
There were a couple of things I purchased myself (why exhibitors shouldn't take their wallets to any shows)
As Ian is a Coeliac we bought a set of Earth Friend cooking liners - these toaster bags and liners are cotton based and contain no teflon. They are going to make cooking when we are away easier as we can be sure there is no cross contamination from cooking surfaces
And my hubbie and I have pictures on the wall of our dream camper for when we retire.
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"The surface cleaned with Ha Ra are free of any residue.... I recommend Ha Ra products to any one who is concern about the environment, who suffers any allergic reactions and who cares for the future." more info
To find out more or to purchase a product click here
Daisy Hill Playschool
"The surface cleaned with Ha Ra are free of any residue.... I recommend Ha Ra products to any one who is concern about the environment, who suffers any allergic reactions and who cares for the future." more info
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