Exposure to household cleaning agents increased risk of pediatric asthma, suggests study

A new study published in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research found that being exposed to household cleaning products was shown to be strongly associated with a higher incidence of pediatric asthma.

With significant public health consequences for children, including high morbidity and death in severe instances, asthma is a significant worldwide non-communicable disease. Breathlessness, bronchoconstriction, and wheezing are the results of airway inflammation brought on by exposure to allergens and irritants.

Over the past 40 years, there has been a marked increase in the prevalence of pediatric asthma. The Global Asthma Survey has revealed that the incidence of asthma is 9.1% among children aged 13 to 14 and 11% among children aged 6 to 7 worldwide, with females being more susceptible to the condition. It significantly affects one's quality of life (QoL), friendships, academic and athletic success, and other accomplishments.

Due to their chemical makeup, household cleaning products have the ability to attract attention. When paired with inadequate ventilation, they can provide a hazardous indoor environment that can endanger respiratory health, including asthma. In addition to promoting hygiene, household cleaning products can have negative respiratory consequences, particularly in children with asthma. There is an urgent need for a thorough evaluation of the current data due to the widespread effectiveness and possible influence of household cleaning products on pediatric asthma.

This study looked in detail through 5 databases by performing both qualitative and quantitative analyses on the data. A funnel diagram was used to evaluate publication bias, and RevMan 5.4 computed odds ratios (OR) with 95% CI. Methodological quality and certainty were evaluated using the GRADE framework and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), respectively.

The qualifying requirements were satisfied by 16 studies. This meta-analysis revealed a strong correlation between pediatric asthma and the usage of household cleaning products. Also, there was a substantial (p < 0.01) correlation between exposure phases and home cleaning products. There was no evidence of publication bias or significant risk of prejudice.

Overall, there is a strong correlation between exposure to household cleaning products and a higher risk of childhood asthma, according to this systematic review and meta-analysis. These results demonstrate how urgently public health initiatives are needed to limit children's exposure to dangerous cleaning products. Future studies should look at how well preventative approaches work to reduce the prevalence of childhood asthma.

Reference:

Arif, M. I., Wang, Z. Y., & Ru, L. (2025). Household cleaning agents impact on pediatric asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2025.2467820