Women who regularly use household cleaners and air fresheners are doubling their chances of developing breast cancer.
After observing 1,500 women, researchers say the most dangerous are solid slow-air release fresheners and anti-mould products. Insect repellent and oven and surface cleaners also slightly increase a woman’s risk of developing the disease.
Laboratory tests have shown that some products have chemicals in them that may cause cancer. Women who used a combination of cleaning products were 110% more likely to develop breast cancer than those who never used these products.
Dr. Julia Brody is with the Silent Spring Institute in the United States. She commented: "Women who reported the highest combined cleaning product use had a doubled risk of breast cancer compared to those with the lowest reported use."
However, these early results must be backed up by other studies before becoming definitive conclusions.