A recent study came up with an alarming finding regarding the use of household cleaning products. Scientists have found that inhaling their particles can lead to worse lung damage than accidental drinking. , this danger is caused by a compound that has been used in cleaning products for more than 80 years.
- Inhaling cleaning products can cause more serious damage than drinking them.
- The danger is represented by quaternary ammonium compounds used in disinfectants.
- High levels of these compounds in the blood are associated with excessive fatigue and lung diseases.
Scientists from the University of California studied in detail the impact of disinfectant products on health. In the study, mice were exposed to airborne particles similar to those that people typically inhale while cleaning their homes. They later tested their blood, revealing unexpected results.
Although it is common knowledge that substances known as quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC), used in these products since the 1940s, are toxic if accidentally ingested, according to scientists their inhalation has a bad effect on health.
Cleaning agents can have a negative effect on health. (illustrative photo)
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The compounds have been shown to cause significant lung damage when inhaled. “The surprising result of this study was that they caused 100 times more damage and 100 times more mortality compared to swallowing them. We therefore have to think about whether we really want these QAC-based products in our immediate surroundings,” noted lead author Dr. Gino Cortopassi. Previous research by the same team also confirmed that up to eight out of ten people have traces of QAC in their blood.
Researchers hypothesize that this substance affects the way cells in the body produce energy. A 2021 study found that participants with the highest blood QAC levels also had the lowest mitochondrial energy levels. This phenomenon is directly associated with chronic fatigue, muscle weakness and impaired concentration.
Long-term exposure to these compounds can also cause skin and eye irritation, metabolic disturbances or serious lung diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
