Cleaning Products = Cancer?
Scientists writing in the research journal Environmental Health asked more than 1500 women about their cleaning product usage, and found a higher breast cancer rate among women who reported using more air fresheners and products for mold and mildew control.
Women who report greater use of cleaning products may be at higher breast cancer risk than those who say they use them sparingly, a small study suggests.
The researchers at the Silent Spring Institute in Newton, Mass., and the Boston University School of Public Health conducted phone interviews with 787 female breast cancer patients and 721 comparison women.
“Women who reported the highest combined cleaning product use had a doubled risk of breast cancer compared to those with the lowest reported use,” said re searcher Julia Brody of the institute.
The article explains why these numbers might be due to factors other than cleaning products themselves, but it could still be the chemicals causing cancer. In my own experience, the children of clean freaks (i.e. get through a lot of anti-bacterial products) have the kids who get sick the most. As my Dad always tells me – if it isn’t natural, be careful.