Spraying Cleaning Agents from a Spray Bottle is as Harmful to Health as Smoking 20 Cigarettes a Day.

The study revealed that regular spraying of cleaning agents is as harmful as smoking 20 cigarettes a day.

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Most people know how harmful smoking is. Regularly smoking 20 cigarettes a day is considered excessive and very harmful by most people.

A study conducted at the University of Bergen in Norway yielded truly astonishing results. The study revealed that regular spraying of cleaning agents is as harmful as smoking 20 cigarettes a day. This primarily concerns the deterioration of lung function.

Chemicals have a minor short-term impact, but a deeper and stronger effect over the years. There are very few long-term studies in this field; short-term effects are usually more easily observable. The study analyzed 6,235 individuals with an average age of 34, and the study lasted 20 years. The study showed that the volume of exhaled air decreased by 4.3 ml/year (milliliters per year) in people using spray cleaning agents at home and by 7.1 ml/year in professional cleaners. This is the same effect as smoking 20 cigarettes a day. It is believed that the reduction in lung capacity is caused by irritation of the mucous membrane due to small particles, which gradually leads to changes in the mucous membrane.

The study concluded that cleaners have a 40% higher probability of developing asthma – using chemicals in this manner causes significant damage to the lungs.

What conclusions from this study are worth applying to practical cleaning:

  • Use dampening bottles instead of spray bottles.
  • In many areas, sufficient cleanliness can be achieved with a microfiber cleaning cloth and water – there is no need to use cleaning agents.
  • We can avoid spraying strong cleaning agents (for example, acidic agents for sinks) by regularly using dish brushes, a special tap brush, and drying with a clean microfiber cleaning cloth when cleaning sanitary fixtures. This ensures that taps, their surroundings, and sinks remain clean, eliminating the need for spraying strong agents.

To acquire cleaning knowledge and skills that protect your health and the environment, please also consult our training calendar.