Danger alert over air fresheners ........... ( voc's linked to depression)

[Guest guest]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1316647,00.html

Everyday items which keep homes smelling sweet have been linked to

sick children and depression

AIR fresheners and aerosols may make homes unhealthier, research has

suggested. Children and their mothers suffered more ill health in

homes where these products were in daily use, the University of

Bristol's Children of the 90s study has shown.

But the British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association said that the

research was flawed. " The claims are not justified, " it said.

The study, to be published this week in Archives of Environmental

Health, shows that children suffered diarrhoea and earache, while

their mothers had more headaches and depression, according to a

study of 14,000 households.

As 40 per cent of households use the products found to be

responsible, the results have wide implications if confirmed.

They are to be published by a team led by Farrow, now of the

School of Health Sciences and Social Care at Brunel University,

Middlesex. The team used measurements of volatile organic compounds

(VOCs), taken month by month, in the bedrooms and living rooms of

170 households. VOCs have been linked with a number of illnesses.

The team says that the VOC levels in the homes were linked with the

use of three products: aerosols, air fresheners and carpet cleaner.

They then compared the use of those three products in the whole

sample with the incidence of illness.

They found that 32 per cent more babies suffered diarrhoea in homes

where air fresheners (including sticks, sprays and aerosols) were

used every day, compared with homes where they were used once a week

or less. They also suffered significantly more from earache. Air

fresheners and aerosols also affected mothers, with those who used

them daily suffering nearly 10 per cent more headaches. The most

surprising result is the apparent link between maternal depression

and air fresheners. Of mothers who used fresheners, 16 per cent

reported depression, against 12.7 per cent of those who seldom used

them. Dr Farrow said: " Over 40 per cent of families in the study

reported using air fresheners regularly. People may think using

these products makes their homes cleaner and healthier, but being

cleaner may not necessarily mean healthier.

" Air fresheners combined with other aerosol and household

products

contribute to a complex mixture of chemicals and a build-up of VOCs

in the home environment. Pregnant women and babies up to six months

may be particularly susceptible to the effects, because they spend

around 80 per cent of their time at home. There may also be

implications for other groups who are at home a good deal, such as

old people.

" More research is needed, but in the meantime it might be safer

to

limit use of air fresheners and aerosols in the home. Squeezing a

lemon is just as effective at freshening the air. "

But the manufacturers' association said it had been aware of the

study for several years and doubted its reliability. The VOC

measurements in the 170 homes had been made by the Building Research

Establishment and had found that high levels were mainly due to

smoking, painting or decorating.

The association then commissioned the Medical Research Council's

Institute for Environment and Health to review the findings. The

institute's report questioned the study's premise that the

VOCs must

come from the products identified, and not from other sources.

Its report also concluded that of the associations identified, most

failed to show a dose-response relationship — in other words,

greater VOC concentrations were not linked to greater health

problems. There was no plausible biological explanation to link the

products to the symptoms. The institute was also asked to carry out

a literature survey for any studies linking aerosols and air

fresheners to headaches or migraine, and had found none.

" Farrow's claims are not justified, " the

manufacturers'

association said. " We will of course continue to keep a watching

brief on the issue and ensure that if any data shows a cause for

concern, it is fully evaluated by our industry. " Flower,

director-general of the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Perfumery

Association, said: " Cosmetic products such as hairsprays and

deodorants are required by legislation to be safe in normal use.

" Aerosol forms of these products are labelled with advice that

they

should not be used in confined spaces and current evidence shows

these products are safe. We shall be looking into the new research

to see whether people are following advice and whether additional

advice may be required. "

[Guest guest]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1316647,00.html

Everyday items which keep homes smelling sweet have been linked to

sick children and depression

AIR fresheners and aerosols may make homes unhealthier, research has

suggested. Children and their mothers suffered more ill health in

homes where these products were in daily use, the University of

Bristol's Children of the 90s study has shown.

But the British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association said that the

research was flawed. " The claims are not justified, " it said.

The study, to be published this week in Archives of Environmental

Health, shows that children suffered diarrhoea and earache, while

their mothers had more headaches and depression, according to a

study of 14,000 households.

As 40 per cent of households use the products found to be

responsible, the results have wide implications if confirmed.

They are to be published by a team led by Farrow, now of the

School of Health Sciences and Social Care at Brunel University,

Middlesex. The team used measurements of volatile organic compounds

(VOCs), taken month by month, in the bedrooms and living rooms of

170 households. VOCs have been linked with a number of illnesses.

The team says that the VOC levels in the homes were linked with the

use of three products: aerosols, air fresheners and carpet cleaner.

They then compared the use of those three products in the whole

sample with the incidence of illness.

They found that 32 per cent more babies suffered diarrhoea in homes

where air fresheners (including sticks, sprays and aerosols) were

used every day, compared with homes where they were used once a week

or less. They also suffered significantly more from earache. Air

fresheners and aerosols also affected mothers, with those who used

them daily suffering nearly 10 per cent more headaches. The most

surprising result is the apparent link between maternal depression

and air fresheners. Of mothers who used fresheners, 16 per cent

reported depression, against 12.7 per cent of those who seldom used

them. Dr Farrow said: " Over 40 per cent of families in the study

reported using air fresheners regularly. People may think using

these products makes their homes cleaner and healthier, but being

cleaner may not necessarily mean healthier.

" Air fresheners combined with other aerosol and household

products

contribute to a complex mixture of chemicals and a build-up of VOCs

in the home environment. Pregnant women and babies up to six months

may be particularly susceptible to the effects, because they spend

around 80 per cent of their time at home. There may also be

implications for other groups who are at home a good deal, such as

old people.

" More research is needed, but in the meantime it might be safer

to

limit use of air fresheners and aerosols in the home. Squeezing a

lemon is just as effective at freshening the air. "

But the manufacturers' association said it had been aware of the

study for several years and doubted its reliability. The VOC

measurements in the 170 homes had been made by the Building Research

Establishment and had found that high levels were mainly due to

smoking, painting or decorating.

The association then commissioned the Medical Research Council's

Institute for Environment and Health to review the findings. The

institute's report questioned the study's premise that the

VOCs must

come from the products identified, and not from other sources.

Its report also concluded that of the associations identified, most

failed to show a dose-response relationship — in other words,

greater VOC concentrations were not linked to greater health

problems. There was no plausible biological explanation to link the

products to the symptoms. The institute was also asked to carry out

a literature survey for any studies linking aerosols and air

fresheners to headaches or migraine, and had found none.

" Farrow's claims are not justified, " the

manufacturers'

association said. " We will of course continue to keep a watching

brief on the issue and ensure that if any data shows a cause for

concern, it is fully evaluated by our industry. " Flower,

director-general of the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Perfumery

Association, said: " Cosmetic products such as hairsprays and

deodorants are required by legislation to be safe in normal use.

" Aerosol forms of these products are labelled with advice that

they

should not be used in confined spaces and current evidence shows

these products are safe. We shall be looking into the new research

to see whether people are following advice and whether additional

advice may be required. "

[Guest guest]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1316647,00.html

Everyday items which keep homes smelling sweet have been linked to

sick children and depression

AIR fresheners and aerosols may make homes unhealthier, research has

suggested. Children and their mothers suffered more ill health in

homes where these products were in daily use, the University of

Bristol's Children of the 90s study has shown.

But the British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association said that the

research was flawed. " The claims are not justified, " it said.

The study, to be published this week in Archives of Environmental

Health, shows that children suffered diarrhoea and earache, while

their mothers had more headaches and depression, according to a

study of 14,000 households.

As 40 per cent of households use the products found to be

responsible, the results have wide implications if confirmed.

They are to be published by a team led by Farrow, now of the

School of Health Sciences and Social Care at Brunel University,

Middlesex. The team used measurements of volatile organic compounds

(VOCs), taken month by month, in the bedrooms and living rooms of

170 households. VOCs have been linked with a number of illnesses.

The team says that the VOC levels in the homes were linked with the

use of three products: aerosols, air fresheners and carpet cleaner.

They then compared the use of those three products in the whole

sample with the incidence of illness.

They found that 32 per cent more babies suffered diarrhoea in homes

where air fresheners (including sticks, sprays and aerosols) were

used every day, compared with homes where they were used once a week

or less. They also suffered significantly more from earache. Air

fresheners and aerosols also affected mothers, with those who used

them daily suffering nearly 10 per cent more headaches. The most

surprising result is the apparent link between maternal depression

and air fresheners. Of mothers who used fresheners, 16 per cent

reported depression, against 12.7 per cent of those who seldom used

them. Dr Farrow said: " Over 40 per cent of families in the study

reported using air fresheners regularly. People may think using

these products makes their homes cleaner and healthier, but being

cleaner may not necessarily mean healthier.

" Air fresheners combined with other aerosol and household

products

contribute to a complex mixture of chemicals and a build-up of VOCs

in the home environment. Pregnant women and babies up to six months

may be particularly susceptible to the effects, because they spend

around 80 per cent of their time at home. There may also be

implications for other groups who are at home a good deal, such as

old people.

" More research is needed, but in the meantime it might be safer

to

limit use of air fresheners and aerosols in the home. Squeezing a

lemon is just as effective at freshening the air. "

But the manufacturers' association said it had been aware of the

study for several years and doubted its reliability. The VOC

measurements in the 170 homes had been made by the Building Research

Establishment and had found that high levels were mainly due to

smoking, painting or decorating.

The association then commissioned the Medical Research Council's

Institute for Environment and Health to review the findings. The

institute's report questioned the study's premise that the

VOCs must

come from the products identified, and not from other sources.

Its report also concluded that of the associations identified, most

failed to show a dose-response relationship — in other words,

greater VOC concentrations were not linked to greater health

problems. There was no plausible biological explanation to link the

products to the symptoms. The institute was also asked to carry out

a literature survey for any studies linking aerosols and air

fresheners to headaches or migraine, and had found none.

" Farrow's claims are not justified, " the

manufacturers'

association said. " We will of course continue to keep a watching

brief on the issue and ensure that if any data shows a cause for

concern, it is fully evaluated by our industry. " Flower,

director-general of the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Perfumery

Association, said: " Cosmetic products such as hairsprays and

deodorants are required by legislation to be safe in normal use.

" Aerosol forms of these products are labelled with advice that

they

should not be used in confined spaces and current evidence shows

these products are safe. We shall be looking into the new research

to see whether people are following advice and whether additional

advice may be required. "

[Guest guest]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1316647,00.html

Everyday items which keep homes smelling sweet have been linked to

sick children and depression

AIR fresheners and aerosols may make homes unhealthier, research has

suggested. Children and their mothers suffered more ill health in

homes where these products were in daily use, the University of

Bristol's Children of the 90s study has shown.

But the British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association said that the

research was flawed. " The claims are not justified, " it said.

The study, to be published this week in Archives of Environmental

Health, shows that children suffered diarrhoea and earache, while

their mothers had more headaches and depression, according to a

study of 14,000 households.

As 40 per cent of households use the products found to be

responsible, the results have wide implications if confirmed.

They are to be published by a team led by Farrow, now of the

School of Health Sciences and Social Care at Brunel University,

Middlesex. The team used measurements of volatile organic compounds

(VOCs), taken month by month, in the bedrooms and living rooms of

170 households. VOCs have been linked with a number of illnesses.

The team says that the VOC levels in the homes were linked with the

use of three products: aerosols, air fresheners and carpet cleaner.

They then compared the use of those three products in the whole

sample with the incidence of illness.

They found that 32 per cent more babies suffered diarrhoea in homes

where air fresheners (including sticks, sprays and aerosols) were

used every day, compared with homes where they were used once a week

or less. They also suffered significantly more from earache. Air

fresheners and aerosols also affected mothers, with those who used

them daily suffering nearly 10 per cent more headaches. The most

surprising result is the apparent link between maternal depression

and air fresheners. Of mothers who used fresheners, 16 per cent

reported depression, against 12.7 per cent of those who seldom used

them. Dr Farrow said: " Over 40 per cent of families in the study

reported using air fresheners regularly. People may think using

these products makes their homes cleaner and healthier, but being

cleaner may not necessarily mean healthier.

" Air fresheners combined with other aerosol and household

products

contribute to a complex mixture of chemicals and a build-up of VOCs

in the home environment. Pregnant women and babies up to six months

may be particularly susceptible to the effects, because they spend

around 80 per cent of their time at home. There may also be

implications for other groups who are at home a good deal, such as

old people.

" More research is needed, but in the meantime it might be safer

to

limit use of air fresheners and aerosols in the home. Squeezing a

lemon is just as effective at freshening the air. "

But the manufacturers' association said it had been aware of the

study for several years and doubted its reliability. The VOC

measurements in the 170 homes had been made by the Building Research

Establishment and had found that high levels were mainly due to

smoking, painting or decorating.

The association then commissioned the Medical Research Council's

Institute for Environment and Health to review the findings. The

institute's report questioned the study's premise that the

VOCs must

come from the products identified, and not from other sources.

Its report also concluded that of the associations identified, most

failed to show a dose-response relationship — in other words,

greater VOC concentrations were not linked to greater health

problems. There was no plausible biological explanation to link the

products to the symptoms. The institute was also asked to carry out

a literature survey for any studies linking aerosols and air

fresheners to headaches or migraine, and had found none.

" Farrow's claims are not justified, " the

manufacturers'

association said. " We will of course continue to keep a watching

brief on the issue and ensure that if any data shows a cause for

concern, it is fully evaluated by our industry. " Flower,

director-general of the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Perfumery

Association, said: " Cosmetic products such as hairsprays and

deodorants are required by legislation to be safe in normal use.

" Aerosol forms of these products are labelled with advice that

they

should not be used in confined spaces and current evidence shows

these products are safe. We shall be looking into the new research

to see whether people are following advice and whether additional

advice may be required. "