Short-term respiratory effects of cleaning exposures in female domestic cleaners

• Published in: The European respiratory journal Vol. 27; no. 6; pp. 1196 - 1203
• Main Authors: Medina-Ramon, M, Zock, J. P, Kogevinas, M, Sunyer, J, Basagana, X, Schwartz, J, Burge, P. S, Moore, V, Anto, J. M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Leeds Eur Respiratory Soc 01.06.2006; Maney
• Subjects: Adult; Aerosols; Aged; Asthma - chemically induced; Asthma - diagnosis; Biological and medical sciences; Bronchitis - chemically induced; Bronchitis - diagnosis; Detergents - toxicity; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume - drug effects; Humans; Irritants - toxicity; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases - chemically induced; Occupational Diseases - diagnosis; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Occupational Exposure - statistics & numerical data; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate - drug effects; Pneumology; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - chemically induced; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - diagnosis; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - epidemiology; Risk Factors; Short term; Respiratory tract; peak expiratory flow; occupational; Female; Exposure; Cleaning; chronic bronchitis; irritants; Asthma
• ISSN: 0903-1936; 1399-3003
• DOI: 10.1183/09031936.06.00085405

Symptoms of obstructive lung disease in domestic cleaners have been related to the use of bleach and other irritant cleaning products. The short-term effects of cleaning exposures on respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were investigated in domestic cleaners with respiratory disorders. In a panel study, 43 female domestic cleaners with a recent history of asthma and/or chronic bronchitis completed a 2-week diary, collecting information on respiratory symptoms, PEF and cleaning exposures. Mixed regression models were used to assess daily changes in symptoms and PEF associated with specific cleaning exposures. The probability of having work-related asthma was individually assessed by a computerised diagnostic system and an occupational asthma expert. Lower respiratory tract symptoms were more common on working days and were predominantly associated with exposure to diluted bleach, degreasing sprays/atomisers and air fresheners. Associations with upper respiratory tract symptoms and PEF were less apparent. Eleven (30%) subjects scored positively for work-related asthma. It is concluded that exposure to certain irritant cleaning products aggravates lower respiratory tract symptoms in female domestic cleaners with asthma or chronic bronchitis.