A study suggests babies born to NHS workers or cleaners may be at a higher risk of asthma or eczema.
Children whose mothers used disinfectant one to six times a week during pregnancy were almost 30 percent more likely to suffer by the age of three.
Women who were exposed to cleaning chemicals on a daily basis were most at risk, Japanese researchers claimed.
Experts warned that the findings – which come from nearly 80,000 mother-child pairs – could also have serious implications for germaphobes.
Although the study was conducted in workplaces such as hospitals, the researchers pointed to a huge increase in bleach and hand sanitizer use during the pandemic.
Yamanashi University’s latest study builds on a wealth of research linking exposure to cleaning chemicals to asthma and eczema.
Some have even suggested that the rising rates of asthma and eczema over the last few decades are due to the over-sterilization and anti-germ nature of modern life.
But experts have insisted more research is needed before advising expectant mothers to refrain from using sanitizer.
A Japanese study of nearly 80,000 mothers and their children found that those who used disinfectants regularly were more likely to have children who developed asthma and eczema
The researchers analyzed data from 78,915 mother-child pairs recruited for a Japanese child health study between 2011 and 2014.
Women who used disinfectants regularly were more likely to be nurses, doctors and hospital workers – they made up 20 percent of the study group.
Only 1.9 percent of the general study group reported using disinfectants, compared to 17.7 percent of workers such as nurses and doctors.
The lead author of the study, Dr. Reiji Kojima admitted his team couldn’t directly explain why using disinfectants might increase asthma and eczema rates.
WHAT IS ASTHMA?
Asthma is a common but incurable condition that affects the small tubes in the lungs.
It can cause them to become inflamed or swollen, narrowing the airways and making it difficult to breathe.
The condition affects people of all ages and often begins in childhood. Symptoms may improve or even go away as children get older, but may return in adulthood.
Symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which can worsen during an asthma attack.
Treatment usually involves medications that are inhaled to calm the lungs.
The disease is triggered by allergies, dust, air pollution, exercise and infections such as the common cold or flu.
If you think you or your child may have asthma you should see a doctor as it can develop into more serious complications such as fatigue or lung infections.
Source: NHS
He said disinfectants could affect the microbiomes of both mother and child in the womb or be the result of chemical compounds interfering with the fetus’s immune response.
dr Kojima also acknowledged that women who regularly use disinfectants are more likely to be healthcare professionals.
As a result, they can identify conditions such as asthma and eczema in their children and have them diagnosed, which could skew the results.
Another potential limitation is how women self-report their disinfectant exposure and the condition of their child.
But dr Kojima said the results of her study warrant further research, especially given the increased use of disinfectants as a result of the Covid pandemic.
“With the current increasing use of disinfectants to prevent coronavirus infection, it is of great public health importance to assess whether prenatal exposure to disinfectants poses a risk for the development of allergic diseases,” they said.
The study was published in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine.
In response to the study, Tommy’s midwife manager, Amina Hatia, told MailOnline that it was important to study the effects of disinfectant use on expectant mothers.
“The findings from this new study are timely given the increase in our chemical consumption during the Covid pandemic,” she said.
But she added that disinfectants play an important role in protecting pregnant women and their unborn child from disease.
“Ultimately, disinfectants are still an effective way to prevent infectious diseases that could have extremely serious effects on both mother and child,” she said.
“We will continue to recommend good ventilation and a thorough workplace assessment when using disinfectants at work and recommend that anyone concerned about the use of disinfectants contact their midwife to discuss this. ”
Previous studies have linked the use of cleaning products to the development of conditions such as asthma.
A Norwegian study of 3,000 mothers and their children, published in October last year, found that adolescents are up to 71 percent more likely to develop asthma if their parents work in a job that involves regularly handling cleaning supplies.
This was true even for women who quit those jobs years before conceiving their child, suggesting the cleaning products directly affected their eggs.
It is estimated that over 8 million people in the UK have asthma, around 12 per cent of the population.
There are an estimated 25 million people with asthma in the United States, about 8 percent of the population.
The condition, which affects small tubes in the lungs that cause them to swell and restrict airflow, often begins in childhood but can go away in adulthood.
It can be triggered in response to allergens like dust or pollution, or by respiratory illnesses like the common cold or flu. Asthma is usually treated with medication delivered from an inhaler.
Eczema, also known as dermatitis, affects between 20 per cent of children in the UK and around 10 per cent of adults. About 10 percent of Americans have eczema.
It is an inflammatory condition that causes redness, blistering, oozing, scaling, and thickening of the skin.
What exactly causes eczema is unknown, and while there is no cure, various moisturizers and ointments are available to treat the symptoms.
Toxic Chemicals During Pregnancy. What can I do to reduce my risk?
Should I be concerned?
Some research has found possible links between exposure to household chemicals and pregnancy complications. These complications included premature birth, low birth weight, miscarriage and conditions later in the baby’s life such as asthma. Note, however, that only potential links were found. These complications may have been caused by other factors, including lifestyle choices and various other health conditions.
Some evidence shows that using cleaning sprays, air fresheners, and solvents during pregnancy can increase the risk of wheezing and infections in children after birth. However, much more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between exposure to chemicals and the risk of developing asthma.
Although these studies may sound scary, for most people the risk is very low and you shouldn’t worry. If you’re concerned, it’s a good idea to talk to your midwife.
What about using chemical cleaning products at home?
If you use cleaning products, try to ventilate the room during and after cleaning by opening the windows to get some fresh air. When cleaning your oven, make sure the room is well ventilated and read the instructions carefully. Many oven cleaners produce a lot of fumes from strong chemicals.
Some products claim to be free of “harmful” chemicals or even claim to be “natural”. This does not always mean that they are absolutely safe. If you are very concerned about using cleaning products, you can try using all-natural products instead. White distilled vinegar is a great natural cleaning agent and you can add lemon or herbs to give it a nice smell. Baking soda can also be a great cleaner, especially on ovens.
My job requires the use of cleaning products, what should I do?
If you’re concerned about chemicals in the workplace, talk to your employer. You are responsible for conducting a risk assessment to identify potential workplace risks during pregnancy. They must protect you from these as much as possible, e.g. B. Your employer can improve ventilation or provide additional protection.
But even if you know what chemicals you’re working with and how much you’re exposed to, there’s no way to fully know the risks to your baby. There is currently no evidence of safe or harmful exposure levels. The best way to protect yourself and your baby is to take precautionary measures to minimize exposure.
Source: Tommy’s