Domestic use of hypochlorite bleach, atopic sensitization, and respiratory symptoms in adults.
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.
Zock
Jan-Paul
JP
Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology, Barcelona, Spain.jpzock@creal.cat
Plana
Estel
E
Antó
Josep M
JM
Benke
Geza
G
Blanc
Paul D
PD
Carosso
Aurelia
A
Dahlman-Höglund
Anna
A
Heinrich
Joachim
J
Jarvis
Deborah
D
Kromhout
Hans
H
Lillienberg
Linnéa
L
Mirabelli
Maria C
MC
Norbäck
Dan
D
Olivieri
Mario
M
Ponzio
Michela
M
Radon
Katja
K
Soon
Argo
A
van Sprundel
Marc
M
Sunyer
Jordi
J
Svanes
Cecilie
C
Torén
Kjell
K
Verlato
Giuseppe
G
Villani
Simona
S
Kogevinas
Manolis
M
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
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D006997:Hypochlorous Acid