'Domestic cleaning products could be linked to breast cancer' - 20/07/2010

A new study has found that harmful domestic cleaning products may be linked to an increase in the risk of breast cancer.

US researchers from the Silent Spring Institute in Massachusetts and Boston University found that air fresheners and household cleaning products used for removing mould doubled the risk of breast cancer in women who used them the most often.

The report, which was published in the journal Environmental Health, also found that mildew removers and insect repellents also increased the likelihood of developing breast cancer.

However, no such connection was found with home and garden pesticides and surface and oven cleaners.

Researchers explained that synthetic musks and phthalates are commonly used in solid and spray fresheners and antimicrobials, phthalates and alkylphenolic surfactants are found in many mould and mildew products.

Although scientists said the findings are "biologically plausible", they conceded that the study was not 100 per cent perfect because they asked cancer sufferers to remember if they had used cleaning products and the strongest connection was found among those who believed chemicals contributed to the disease.

Posted by Posted by Teodora Ivanova