Home Environment Linked To Asthma Cases

Last week I spoke about the hygiene hypothesis that is linked to rising peanut, food and other allergies in Western countries, particularly in the US. The hygiene hypothesis says that due to our sterile environment, we have less "dirty" microbes to fight allergies and asthma. But concerning asthma, that is only a partial explanation.I read an interesting article in the New York Times which quotes Dr. Harold S. Nelson, a doctor at the specialty hospital National Jewish Health in Denver. He cited the reasons for higher asthma rates are due to "lower levels of Vitamin D, exposure to spray cleaning compounds, and a wider use of acetaminophen in place of aspirin have contributed to the asthma epidemic."The problem, he continues in saying is that with household cleaners, "the spray mist can be inhaled and irritate the lungs, increasing risk for asthma. The biggest culprits appear to be glass cleaners and air fresheners. A major European study of cleaning product use found that people faced double the risk of adult asthma. And Australian researchers have also found a link with household cleaning sprays and asthma in children."Also, concerning low vitamin D levels, the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology stated in 2007 that researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston showed "a link between low D levels in mothers and childhood asthma "Coupled with inadequate intake from foods and supplements, this then leads to vitamin D deficiency, particularly in pregnant women, resulting in more asthma and allergy in their offspring," states the journal.In an another study of 200,000 6 and 7 year olds, the use of acetaminophen in the first year of life with associated with a 46 percent increase in prevalence of asthma symptoms."Dr. Nelson concludes to limit asthma risk, people should do the following. Use liquid cleaners or pump sprays that don't generate a fine mist. Eliminate use of spray air fresheners. Pregnant women and mothers should talk to their physicians about taking vitamin D supplements and also discuss pain relievers with their pediatrician."