Cleaning Like This at Home Can Be Dangerous... 'Similar to the Lungs of a 20-Year Smoker' [Health Issue]

According to Financial News, a recent study found that women who frequently use chemical agents while cleaning their homes face a significantly higher risk of long-term lung damage. The extent of this damage is comparable to the lung function of someone who has smoked a pack of cigarettes daily for 20 years.
Reports from The Mirror and Daily Record highlight that researchers at the University of Bergen (UiB) tracked 6,235 individuals for over two decades. They discovered that prolonged exposure to certain cleaning products accelerated the decline in lung function. The research team stated, "Consistent use of cleaning chemicals results in a decrease in lung function similar to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for 10 to 20 years."
The study revealed that women who regularly cleaned their homes experienced a yearly reduction in Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1) of 3.6 mL more than women who did not clean. For women employed as professional cleaners, the annual decrease was 3.9 mL, indicating a greater impact than household cleaning. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) also declined more rapidly—by 4.3 mL and 7.1 mL per year, respectively. The researchers explained that repeated minor irritation of the airway mucosa from cleaning chemicals accumulates over time, leading to these changes.
Oistein Svanes, the lead researcher, commented, "If you consider inhaling strong chemicals designed for floors or bathrooms, these results may not be so surprising." The incidence of asthma was also higher among women who cleaned at home (12.3%) and those who cleaned professionally (13.7%), compared to women who did not clean (9.6%).
In contrast, no clear association was found between cleaning and decreased lung function among men. The research team suggested that this could be due to the smaller number of women who never clean and the lower prevalence of men working as professional cleaners, resulting in different exposure patterns.
Meanwhile, the FEV1/FVC ratio, which is used in diagnosing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), did not deteriorate more rapidly among women who cleaned. This suggests that the decline in lung function may be more related to general airway irritation than to obstructive disorders like COPD.
The research team advised, "Most chemical cleaning agents are not essential, and cleaning can be sufficiently achieved with just water and microfiber cloths." They recommended minimizing the use of chemicals to protect lung health in the long term. The team also urged public health authorities to strengthen regulations on cleaning products and encourage the development of non-inhalable alternatives. The study was published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (AJRCCM).


hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter