The Daily Mail reports that Chemicals found in household cleaning products cause asthma in children.

Researchers discovered a link between high exposure of expectant women to bleach and air freshener, among other common products, and asthma and wheezing in their small children. The increased risk for persistent wheezing and sub-normal lung function in children under 7 was 41 per cent.

Although experts are not certain about which chemicals are responsible for the effects, research in the past indicates that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are likely responsible. Disinfectants and bleach were the most common cleaning products found in homes, followed by window cleaner, air fresheners, and aerosols. VOC levels were highest in homes that used air fresheners and aerosols.

The study was led by Dr. John Henderson, a pediatric respiratory specialist at Bristol University, and was published in the European Respiratory Journal. He states, ‘This research points to the direct effects of chemical-exposure on lung development or irritation of the airways after birth.’

For more about ways to clean without harming your indoor air, see Spring Green Cleaning for Allergy Sufferers. Alternatives to cleaning products that contain harsh chemicals and VOCs include EcoDiscoveries Natural Cleaning Products and Begley's Best Natural Cleaning Products.