Using Chemical Cleaners Is Like Smoking 20 Cigarettes A Day

A newer study, by the University of Bergen in Norway, finds chemical cleaners are as hazardous to your health as smoking cigarettes. The cleaners tend to affect women more so than men. Either way there is cause for serious concern. If you ever needed an evidence-based reason to stop using chemical cleaners this is it.

The study found that women working as cleaners or often using chemical cleaning sprays for 20 years saw a decline in lung function equivalent to smoking 20 cigarettes per day over the same period (that’s a pretty heavy smoker). Furthermore, they were 40% more likely to develop asthma.

The lead author of the study, Øistein Svanes, was surprised by the findings at first, but later said, “When you think of inhaling small particles from cleaning agents that are meant for cleaning the floor and not your lungs, maybe it is not so surprising after all.”

He further went on to say something profound and that all people should hear and believe:

“The take home message of this study is that in the long run cleaning chemicals very likely cause rather substantial damage to your lungs.

“These chemicals are usually unnecessary; microfibre cloths and water are more than enough for most purposes.” 

You already know smoking is extremely harmful–especially to those in their early childhood years. Now that you know using chemical cleaners is just as harmful as smoking, will you finally make the switch to non-toxic cleaners?