How household chemicals have made housewives asthmatic

According to the Center for Disease Control, in one decade, there has been a 42% increase in asthma: 29% for men, 82% for women. This higher rate for women is believed to be due to women’s longer exposure times to household chemicals (let’s face it, even though gender roles have changed considerably, many women still do the majority of cleaning).

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes found in many household chemicals including those in cleaning products, paint, furnishings, polishes, and room fresheners. These fumes can irritate the airways causing narrowing and difficulty breathing.

The quick fix? Ditch those common cleaners! They’re seriously bad news (asthma is just one of the health ailments they contribute to!) and truth be told, all-natural cleaners (including those you make yourself with just three or less ingredients) do job just as well.