Prenatal exposure to household products linked to asthma in children

Exposures to certain chemicals, contained in common products such as those used for cleaning and personal care during pregnancy, has been found to increase the likelihood of asthma in children. 

Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs)are a class of chemicals used in many household products such as detergents, cleaners, and personal care items.

Some of these phenols – such as nonylphenol, a breakdown product of APEs – are known endocrine disruptors, thought to be responsible for an increase in allergic diseases such as asthma.

Researchers, led by Dr. Shohei Kuraoka and his team at Southern Kyushu and Okinawa Unit Center of Japan Environment and Children’s Study, have been examining the effect of prenatal exposure to such chemicals on the development of asthma in children.

The team looked at data from over 3,500 mother-child pairs as part of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS), a large-scale nationwide research project. Specifically, they looked for an association between  phenol concentrations in the mother’s urine during early pregnancy and the development of asthma in children at the age of four.

The concentrations of 24 different substances were examined in the urine samples taken from pregnant women and any correlation with the development of asthma in their children was investigated. 

The researchers found that high levels of butylparaben, a chemical frequently used in personal care products like lotions and shampoos, during early pregnancy were associated with a 1.54-fold increase in the odds of asthma development in children.

Intriguingly, exposure to 4-nonylphenol, which is found in some cleaning products and plastics, was found to affect boys significantly more than girls. Boys born to mothers exposed to this chemical had 2.09 times higher odds of developing asthma, while girls seems to be entirely unaffected.

Dr. Shohei Kuraoka who led the team, said: ‘These results emphasise the need for careful evaluation of chemical exposure during pregnancy. Understanding these risks allows us to develop better guidelines to protect maternal and child health.’

The full research can be read here.