It seems that cleaning up would be as harmful to one's health as smoking 20 cigarettes a day; at least that's what a Norwegian study suggests. But let us specify, it is not the effort to clean the house that makes sick but the chemical agents contained in household products. Women are unfortunately the most affected.
A Norwegian study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, attests that the household products used in the cleaning carried out at home as well as at work causes the decline of the pulmonary function and the obstruction of the respiratory tracts, because of the chemical agents they contain. Also, regular use of these products is equivalent to smoking 20 cigarettes a day over a period of 10 to 20 years.
Women are the most affected
Housekeepers are unfortunately more prone to this risk and are likely to suffer from a decrease in lung capacity that would be due to irritation caused by most household products. Indeed, these products contain allergenic, irritating or toxic substances. In addition, the air in our interior would be more polluted than the outside air, because of these products supposed to be disinfectants.
Cécile Svanes, a professor at the Center for International Health at the University of Bergen, explains in a press release, that the risk of asthma is more prevalent among professional cleaners and people who clean at home. To this end, a survey was conducted among 6,325 people aged between 20 and 40, who were followed for more than twenty years.
The results were telling since the decline in lung capacity was 3.9 ml per year for housekeepers against 3.6 ml per year for women doing housework. Asthma was also observed in both categories, registering (12.3%) and (13.7%), respectively, compared to women who did not clean and who recorded (9.6%).
What about men?
According to "Science and the Future", no effect has been observed in men. Explanations can be provided. First of all, in the professional cleaning group, they were less likely to clean up both professionally and at home, which did not allow for a conclusion. In addition, men are more likely to engage in work-related activities that expose them to chemicals other than cleaning agents. Finally, women may be more sensitive to household products than men.
Chemical agents of cleaning products
Several previous studies have highlighted the potential hazard of cleaning products but do not forget that ammonia, bleach and various volatile organic compounds contained in cleaning products can not only irritate the eyes, the throat, lungs but also cause headaches and even cancer.
Alternatives to cleaning products
There are natural, ecological and above all economic products that deeply clean and remain effective for many uses. It is for this purpose baking soda and white vinegar, which are miracle cleaning products.
Baking soda is a biodegradable product that is not toxic to the environment or to health. It is a mineral from the evaporation of salt-rich lakes that gets rid of all the dirt and stains on surfaces in general.
Like baking soda, white vinegar is a powerful cleaning agent because it allows descaling and scouring all surfaces, thanks to its acidity. It is a disinfectant and has an antimicrobial action that can replace the bleach. It is also used to shine dishes but also jewelry that will regain their brilliance.
Floor cleaning
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of baking soda
- ½ cup white vinegar
- 4 liters of warm water
- Household gloves
Preparation:
In a bucket, pour warm water and add the other ingredients to wash the floor with this preparation.
- Tile cleaning
- 1 cup of baking soda
- Hot water
- Household gloves
Preparation
Mix the baking soda with warm water. Scrub the tiles with a sponge then rinse with warm water and wipe dry.
