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INDOOR AIR QUALITY Cleaning’s Hidden Threat: The Link Between Common Products and Occupational Asthma Exploring the connection between widely used cleaning agents and the surge in respiratory issues among cleaning and maintenance workers, and why safer practices and greater awareness in workplace settings are needed. BY CHRISTINE ROBINSON, PH.D.; COLUMBIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY Asthma is a non-communicable, chronic respiratory ma, “occupational asthma,” has become a public health issue. More than 400 agents are associated with occupational asthma. disease characterized by inflammation and narrowing of While a number of factors contribute to the development of oc- the airways. Affecting approximately 360 million people worldwide, asthma is often developed in childhood and cupational asthma, the use of cleaning and disinfecting products in the workplace has emerged as a significant source of exposure. can be caused by environmental factors (allergens), viral infections and/or family history, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/asthma). Asthma and Cleaning Products The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates Several studies have suggested a higher prevalence of asthma that 17 percent of all adult-onset asthma cases in the United among cleaning and maintenance workers compared to other oc- States are related to occupational exposures. A variation of asth- cupational groups. A study published in the American Journal of 20 Occupational Health & Safety | OCTOBER 2023 www.ohsonline.com PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock.com