A new study warns that common cleaning chemicals may cause serious harm to lung health when inhaled. The research, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, points to quaternary ammonium compounds, or QACs, as a particular concern.
Study authors noted that exposure to QACs was already known to increase the risk for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They investigated how these compounds enter the body and affect it. Since QACs are not easily absorbed through the gut or skin, researchers hypothesized that inhaling them could increase QAC levels in blood and raise the risk for airway diseases.
To test this, researchers conducted a study on mice, exposing them to various chemicals including QACs and then measuring QAC levels in their blood. The team found that when mice breathed in QACs at levels that damaged their lungs, the QACs in their blood were similar to levels found in human blood. This suggests inhalation is far more harmful than ingestion.
Gino Cortopassi Ph.D., the lead study author, explained the findings. “The surprising result of this study was that these compounds, when inhaled, caused 100-fold more lung injury and 100-fold more lethality compared to oral ingestion,” Cortopassi said.
Despite evidence of harm, QACs remain widely used. The study authors note that the banning of other disinfectants like triclosan and triclocarban by the FDA in 2015 led to increased QAC usage, a trend that continued during the COVID-19 epidemic. They report that air concentrations of QACs rose during this period.
With one million pounds or more of QACs produced or imported each year, they are found in many products. These include herbicides, eye drop disinfectants, nasal sprays, oral mouthwash disinfectants, and dryer sheets.
Based on the study’s findings, researchers suggest avoiding aerosol products containing QACs is especially important. “We have to question whether we really want to have all of these QAC-based disinfectant sprays in the environment given their proven lung toxicity in mice,” Cortopassi said.
Consumers looking to avoid QACs can seek out non-toxic cleaners without harsh chemicals. Products with a Safer Choice label follow best practices set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Other labels to look for include Non-GMO Project, B-Corp, and MADE SAFE certified.
The study concludes that QACs, particularly when inhaled, could be damaging lung health and increasing the risk of asthma and COPD. Researchers state that harsh cleaning products are not necessary for a clean home and recommend choosing non-toxic alternatives.
