Keeping It Clean and Healthy

Researchers at Harvard and all around the world collected air samples from where children slept and demonstrated, for the first time, that the bedroom concentration of propylene glycol and glycol ethers was significantly associated with an elevated risk of multiple allergic symptoms, runny nose, and eczema.

One in three Americans surveyed reported health problems, such as migraine headaches and respiratory difficulties, when exposed to fragranced products. And in about half, it was so bad they actually lost work over it.

Bleach use was significantly associated with nearly five times the odds non-allergic, adult-onset asthma as well as ongoing lower respiratory symptoms, such as chronic cough. The way bleach works is it's such a strong pro-oxidant that the thought is that it can lead to leaky lungs and allow allergens to penetrate.

The occupational use of disinfectants has also been linked to a higher risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, like emphysema.