title: Heart rate variability in association with frequent use of household sprays and scented products in SAPALDIA.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Household cleaning products are associated with adverse respiratory health outcomes, but the cardiovascular health effects are largely unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We determined if long-term use of household sprays and scented products at home was associated with reduced heart rate variability (HRV), a marker of autonomic cardiac dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recorded 24-hr electrocardiograms in a cross-sectional survey of 581 Swiss adults, ≥ 50 years of age, who answered a detailed questionnaire regarding their use of household cleaning products in their homes. The adjusted average percent changes in standard deviation of all normal-to-normal intervals in 24 hr (24-hr SDNN) and total power (TP) were estimated in multiple linear regression in association with frequency [< 1, 1-3, or 4-7 days/week, unexposed (reference)] of using cleaning sprays, air freshening sprays, and scented products.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Decreases in 24-hr SDNN and TP were observed with frequent use of all product types, but the strongest reductions were associated with air freshening sprays. Compared with unexposed participants, we found that using air freshening sprays 4-7 days/week was associated with 11% [95% confidence interval (CI): -20%, -2%] and 29% (95% CI: -46%, -8%) decreases in 24-hr SDNN and TP, respectively. Inverse associations of 24-SDNN and TP with increased use of cleaning sprays, air freshening sprays, and scented products were observed mainly in participants with obstructive lung disease (p < 0.05 for interactions).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In predominantly older adult women, long-term frequent use of household spray and scented products was associated with reduced HRV, which suggests an increased risk of cardiovascular health hazards. People with preexisting pulmonary conditions may be more susceptible.
authors.affiliation: Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland. amehta@hsph.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Amar J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adam
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schaffner
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Barthélémy
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carballo
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gaspoz
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rochat
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schindler
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Jan-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Zock
authors.forename: Nino
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Künzli
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Probst-Hensch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006795:Household Products / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants