Study Links Bleach Use to Lung Disease

Chlorine-based bleach is a common ingredient found in dozens of household and industrial cleaning products. It's used to clean counter tops, bathroom grout, sinks, bathtubs, clothes and more. However, you may want to think twice before using bleach, as a new study has linked its use to chronic and potentially fatal lung disease.

Researchers at Harvard University and the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) say that using chlorine bleach -- or products containing chlorine bleach -- at least once a week increases the risk of developing obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by as much as 32%.

As you may already know, COPD is used to describe a broad range of chronic lung conditions, including chronic bronchitis, asthma and emphysema. In the United States, approximately 12 million adults are diagnosed with COPD every year. To put the problem of COPD into perspective, statistics show it's responsible for nearly 5% of all deaths globally.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from 55,000 nurses while paying close attention to their use and exposure to cleaning ingredients like bleach, alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. So, what did they find? Researchers found that regular exposure to any of these substances increased the risk of COPD by 24% to 32%.

While this study found an increase risk of COPD associated with the regular use of all cleaning ingredients -- chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide and alcohol -- bleach had the biggest impact. However, it's unknown how exactly chlorine bleach effects the lungs. With that said, it's well-known that bleach fumes are harsh on the upper respiratory system.

“Some of these disinfectants, such as bleach and quats, are frequently used in ordinary households, and the potential impact of domestic use of disinfectants on COPD development is unknown," said Dr. Orianne Dumas of Inserm. "Earlier studies have found a link between asthma and exposure to cleaning products and disinfectants at home, such as bleach and sprays, so it is important to investigate this further.”

Dr. Dumas is expected to present this study at the European Respiratory Society International Congress.

So, what can use instead of bleach? For cleaning surfaces like counter tops, showers and bath tubs, vinegar is a safe and effective alternative that's not going to cause any ill effect. You can even mix it with a little bit of baking soda to create a paste-like consistency for added cleaning power.