A study has linked the use of household disinfectants to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a serious lung condition. It is estimated that there are around 1.2 million COPD sufferers in the UK.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the umbrella name for a group of lung conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which cause breathing difficulties as a result of inflamed airways and damaged air sacs in the lungs.
Whilst COPD is common in the older generation and those who smoke, new research has linked the use of domestic disinfectants to the development of COPD. Studies have shown that using disinfectants as little as once per week can significantly increase someone’s chances of developing the condition.
The symptoms can include:
- a shortness of breath doing everyday tasks;
- a cough that lasts a long time;
- wheezing in cold weather;
- producing more sputum or phlegm than usual.
The study which determined a link between COPD and the use of disinfectants monitored 55,000 healthcare professionals in America who had been registered since 1989. The primary focus was given to those still employed in the healthcare profession as of 2009, with no history or diagnosis of COPD. These individuals were monitored until May 2017 and the results showed that 663 of them were diagnosed as suffering from COPD. It was established that these individuals had been at an increased risk (between 24% and 32%) of developing COPD after assessing their working environment and exposure to disinfectants such as hydrogen peroxide and bleach.
Research has also taken place throughout Europe, which showed that those employed as cleaners were also more likely to develop COPD due to exposure of such chemicals.
The research is to be presented to the European Respiratory Society International Congress, with further investigations into the exposure and use of such disinfectants expected.
