What chemicals should you avoid if you are prone to allergies or asthma?

As asthma is now one of the most popular chronic diseases among children, doctors and researchers are struggling to find out what its sources are. The outcomes of various studies may be surprising! It turns out that home cleaning products may have a significant impact on asthma in babies and children. Disconcertingly, small children with high exposure to cleaning products are much more likely to be diagnosed with the illness. The same goes for allergies. How can we reduce this risk? What toxic and harmful substances should be avoided?

Invisible air pollution

Much has been said about air pollution and its harmful effects on our health and the whole environment. However, little is mentioned the most common types of air pollution that we face all year round, namely indoor air pollution. It turns out that the amount of petroleum pollution that we inhale at home may be even a few times greater than outside. This is caused mainly by popular refined cleaning products. Many of them contain toxic chemicals and allergens that irritate our respiratory system. The best solution to provide you and your family with safe breathing at home is to use natural cleaning products that are based solely on organic ingredients.

Allergens and asthmagens found in cleaning products

The range of cleaning products available in supermarkets and drugstores is so wide that making a choice can prove to be a real struggle. Many popular cleaning products are sold in eye-catching packaging, highlighting their advantages. Although some of them are advertised as natural and organic, it doesn’t mean that they are truly free of toxins and chemicals. Unfortunately, the manufacturers use to stretch the truth to gain more customers.

Check what the most harmful ingredients found in cleaning products that cause asthma and allergies are:

• Formaldehyde — this carcinogenic substance irritates the skin and triggers allergy. You can find it in store-bought cleaning products, such as dishwashing detergents, laundry products and bleach. It works as a disinfectant and kills most bacteria and fungi.
• Synthetic fragrances — these complex substances can be made up of different components such as harmful phthalates, which trigger asthma and can be absorbed through the skin. The problem with fragrances is that they don’t have to be listed in detail on the product packaging. If you encounter a “fragrance” within the ingredients section, is means that the product can potentially be detrimental to your health.
• QUATS — this mysterious abbreviation stands for quaternary ammonia compounds which are commonly used in cleaning products such as disinfectants and anti-bacterial fabric softeners. This substance can trigger asthma even in people who have never had problems with breathing. They may be found in almost half of the antibacterial products available on the market!
• Methylisothiazolinone — it is a synthetic substance with antimicrobial properties. We can find it in numerous cleaners. It is used to preserve the life of cleaning products. Methylisothiazolinone can damage your respiratory system as well as irritate your skin. Some of the side effects may include dermatitis, skin burns and even eye damage!
• Ammonium hydroxide: this is a popular ingredient of widely-available cheap cleaning products. It has powerful cleaning properties providing your house with instant dirt removal. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most dangerous and toxic substances found in products such as popular blue ammonia-based window cleaners. While spraying the product, it generates harmful a gas cloud that can potentially damage your lungs and cause asthma.

If your domestic cleaning products include at least one of the above ingredients, don’t use them as they can really badly affect your health!

Allergy and asthma safe cleaning products

If you or your family members have already experienced asthma or allergies, in such a case choosing natural cleaning products should be crucial. Carefully study the ingredients contained in currently used cleaners. If you happen to encounter any of the aforementioned substances, be careful: they may be the source of your problem! If you want to make your home a safe place, replace old detergents with natural cleaning products, such as these offered by Aspen Clean. All of them are toxin-free and based only on organic ingredients. They are void of allergens and ashtmagens that can be found in popular cleaning products. What is more, they don’t contain any SLS, SLES, preservatives, colorants and synthetic fragrances. All the ingredients are listed in detail so you can easily check what is inside.