If bleach is effective in eliminating all traces of bacteria, it would also damage the nasal walls of children and promote ENT (otorhinolaryngology) and respiratory infections.
The Center for Environment and Health in Belgium carried out a study on 9,102 children aged 6 to 12, from primary schools located in three European countries, Spain, Finland and the Netherlands, to assess the impact of the use of bleach on the risk of ENT and respiratory infections (sinusitis, bronchitis, ear infections, influenza, pneumonia).
Scientists have found that bleach is not used in the same way in the countries studied. “Common in Spain, bleach is used at 72%, while its domestic use is only 7% in Finland”, explains Dr Lidia Casas, member of the Center for Environment and Health in Belgium and co-author of the study. “Likewise, Spanish schools are cleaned with bleach, although this practice is not widespread in Finland”.
The results of this survey revealed that the number and frequency of infections is higher in homes that regularly use bleach as a household cleaner. Thus, the risk of catching influenza increases by 20% and that of having tonsillitis (acute bacterial inflammation of the tonsils) by 35%. To obtain these conclusions, the researchers took into account various risk factors such as passive smoking, parental education or the presence of mold.
These observations can be explained by two reasons according to scientists. “The irritant properties of compounds generated by bleach can damage the walls of the respiratory tract, leading to infection of the local flora. On the other hand, household bleach products block the body’s immune reactions, ”the researchers analyze.
“It is a real public health problem reinforced by the statements of advertising extolling the merits of bleach for eradicating microbes. It also calls for the need for more detailed studies on the subject, ”concludes Dr Lidia Casas.
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