title: Domestic use of hypochlorite bleach, atopic sensitization, and respiratory symptoms in adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Professional use of hypochlorite (bleach) has been associated with respiratory symptoms. Bleach is capable of inactivating allergens, and there are indications that its domestic use may reduce the risk of allergies in children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the associations between household use of bleach and atopic sensitization, allergic diseases, and respiratory health status in adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified 3626 participants of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II in 10 countries who did the cleaning in their homes and for whom data on specific serum IgE to 4 environmental allergens were available. Frequency of bleach use and information on respiratory symptoms were obtained in face-to-face interviews. House dust mite and cat allergens in mattress dust were measured in a subsample. Associations between the frequency of bleach use and health outcomes were evaluated by using multivariable mixed logistic regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The use of bleach was associated with less atopic sensitization (odds ratio [OR], 0.75; 95% CI, 0.63-0.89). This association was apparent for specific IgE to both indoor (cat) and outdoor (grass) allergens, and was consistent in various subgroups, including those without any history of respiratory problems (OR, 0.85). Dose-response relationships (P < .05) were apparent for the frequency of bleach use and sensitization rates. Lower respiratory tract symptoms, but not allergic symptoms, were more prevalent among those using bleach 4 or more days per week (OR, 1.24-1.49). The use of bleach was not associated with indoor allergen concentrations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  People who clean their homes with hypochlorite bleach are less likely to be atopic but more likely to have respiratory symptoms.
authors: Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology, Barcelona, Spain.jpzock@creal.cat
authors: Jan-Paul
authors: JP
authors: Zock
authors: Estel
authors: E
authors: Plana
authors: Josep M
authors: JM
authors: Antó
authors: Geza
authors: G
authors: Benke
authors: Paul D
authors: PD
authors: Blanc
authors: Aurelia
authors: A
authors: Carosso
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Dahlman-Höglund
authors: Joachim
authors: J
authors: Heinrich
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Jarvis
authors: Hans
authors: H
authors: Kromhout
authors: Linnéa
authors: L
authors: Lillienberg
authors: Maria C
authors: MC
authors: Mirabelli
authors: Dan
authors: D
authors: Norbäck
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Olivieri
authors: Michela
authors: M
authors: Ponzio
authors: Katja
authors: K
authors: Radon
authors: Argo
authors: A
authors: Soon
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: van Sprundel
authors: Jordi
authors: J
authors: Sunyer
authors: Cecilie
authors: C
authors: Svanes
authors: Kjell
authors: K
authors: Torén
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Verlato
authors: Simona
authors: S
authors: Villani
authors: Manolis
authors: M
authors: Kogevinas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006795:Household Products / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006997:Hypochlorous Acid; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D006997:Hypochlorous Acid