Using the U.S. National Library of Medicine TOXNET database, I did some research on urea formaldehyde. Urea formaldehyde is used in resins and other building materials like plywood. It is also used in textiles and electrical devices. It was banned in 1982 for use in home insulation. Adverse health effects include skin sensitizer and asthma. Thus, this is an exposure concern for those in occupations that use this chemical and also for the general population who live and work in homes and buildings that have been built with materials containing urea formaldehyde.
Using the same database, I found a study published in 2016 (citation below) that investigated whether bleach used in household cleaning, or the domestic setting, is associated with respiratory outcomes like asthma among women. The case-control study found that the use of bleach 4-7 days/week was significantly associated with non-allergic asthma (aOR = 3.30). Furthermore, a significant trend between bleach use frequency and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in women without allergic sensitization was observed (p = 0.04). Though bleach is useful in keeping our whites white and as a disinfectant for cleaning purposes, bleach has adverse effects on respiratory health. The paper suggests that these adverse effects pose a public health concern and may warrant a reconsideration of the use of bleach.
Matulonga, B., Rava, M., Siroux, V., Bernard, A., Dumas, O., Pin, I., Zock, J., Nadia, R., Reynaert, B., and Moual, N. L. (2016). Women using bleach for home cleaning are at increased risk of non-allergic asthma. Respiratory Medicine, 117, 264-271. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2016.06.019
I loved your research and seriousness in studying substances. I am not sure that most of us use bleach every day. However, when I do I make sure that the ventilation is the room is proper: I open windows and turn on the vent in the bathroom. I guess I knew about the risks, but the main reason I always do it is because I don't like the strong smell.
ReplyDeleteI found the same article that explains how the more bleach is used in the household cleaning process, the greater risk for developing asthma! This study has certainly changed my cleaning dynamic. I find myself using more environmentally-friendly non-toxic safer products while at organic grocery stores.
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