TABLE 2.
ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN THE USE OF CLEANING PRODUCTS AT LEAST WEEKLY AND THE INCIDENCE OF ASTHMA (n = 3,503)
| Cleaning Product | Use ≥ 1 d/wk Among All Participants (%) | Current Asthma* RR (95% CI) | Current Wheeze† RR (95% CI) | Physician-diagnosed Asthma‡ HR (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washing powders | 78.6 | 1.10 (0.75−1.63) | 1.28 (0.91−1.81) | 0.82 (0.43−1.54) |
| Liquid multiuse cleaning products | 83.1 | 0.94 (0.64−1.38) | 0.97 (0.70−1.35) | 0.98 (0.52−1.86) |
| Polishes, waxes | 8.7 | 1.12 (0.71−1.76) | 1.19 (0.77−1.85) | 1.42 (0.68−2.97) |
| Bleach | 28.0 | 1.22 (0.83−1.80) | 1.30 (0.90−1.87) | 1.10 (0.56−2.17) |
| Ammonia | 7.2 | 1.40 (0.87−2.23) | 1.31 (0.81−2.13) | 0.92 (0.33−2.59) |
| Decalcifiers, acids | 11.1 | 1.06 (0.70−1.61) | 1.18 (0.77−1.80) | 0.25 (0.06−1.04) |
| Solvents, stain removers | 5.5 | 1.54 (0.94−2.53) | 2.00 (1.30−3.07) | 0.48 (0.12−1.97) |
| Furniture sprays | 11.6 | 1.49 (0.99−2.23) | 1.46 (0.98−2.19) | 2.46 (1.26−4.80) |
| Glass-cleaning sprays | 22.1 | 1.35 (0.98−1.85) | 1.49 (1.12−2.00) | 1.43 (0.84−2.44) |
| Sprays for carpets, rugs, curtains | 1.3 | 1.24 (0.47−3.21) | 0.80 (0.26−2.41) | 0.80 (0.11−5.93) |
| Sprays for mopping the floor§ | 6.1 | 1.05 (0.59−1.85) | 1.03 (0.59−1.79) | 0.93 (0.30−2.85) |
| Oven sprays | 2.0 | 0.87 (0.33−2.28) | 1.24 (0.57−2.69) | 0.63 (0.09−4.64) |
| Ironing sprays | 3.0 | 1.66 (0.92−3.00) | 1.05 (0.48−2.30) | 1.51 (0.46−4.96) |
| Air-refreshing sprays | 16.2 | 1.71 (1.22−2.39) | 1.36 (0.98−1.88) | 1.46 (0.78−2.70) |
| Any spray | 42.1 | 1.49 (1.12−1.99) | 1.39 (1.06−1.80) | 1.28 (0.78−2.09) |
| Any perfumed or scented product | 67.8 | 1.09 (0.78−1.50) | 1.11 (0.83−1.49) | 1.29 (0.74−2.26) |
Definition of abbreviations: CI = confidence interval; HR = hazard ratio; RR = relative risk.
RRs*† or HRs‡ with 95% CIs from log-binomial*† or Cox proportional hazards‡ regression models, adjusted for sex, age, smoking status, cleaning job, and study center. The reference category consisted of participants that used the cleaning product under study never or less than once a week. Each association was derived from a separate regression model.
Attack of asthma and/or nocturnal attack of shortness of breath in the last 12 months and/or current asthma medication (n = 3,483).
Wheezing or whistling in the chest when not having a cold in the last 12 months (n = 3,480).
Diagnosis of asthma with recorded year of onset (n = 3,446).
Information was not obtained in three study centers (Germany and Switzerland).