Regular use of chemical disinfectants among female nurses may increase the risk they will develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a study published in JAMA Network Open said.
Researchers tracked the health histories of more than 73,000 female nurses from 2009 to 2015 and found occupational exposure to several commonly used cleaning products including bleach, hydrogen peroxide and alcohol was associated with a 25% to 38% higher risk of developing COPD.
Chronic lower respiratory diseases, which include COPD and asthma, are the fourth- leading causes of mortality in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The American Lung Association also reports that rates of COPD have been increasing among women over the last two decades, with more than 7 million women estimated to be living with the disease in the U.S. and many more going undiagnosed. As a result, the authors suggest that healthcare facilities look into safer alternatives for disinfecting, including steam and UV light.
“Our additional findings of an association with COPD incidence indicate the need for the development of exposure-reduction strategies that remain compatible with infection control in healthcare settings,” the authors said.
From the December 2019 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
