Study links aerosols to headache, depression
Date: 03-Sep-99
Country: UK
"Aerosols and air fresheners contain dozens of volatile organic
compounds such as xylene, ketones and aldehydes, which can be toxic in
high doses," said New Scientist magazine.
A survey of 14,000 pregnant women by epidemiologists at the University
of Bristol in western England found that expectant mothers who used
aerosols and air fresheners most days had 25 percent more headaches than
women who used them less than once a week and a 19 percent increase in
depression.
Babies under six months old who were frequently exposed to air
fresheners had 30 percent more ear infections and a 22 percent increase
in diarrhoea.
"We have found a possible causal link and it needs further
investigation," said Jean Golding, who worked on the Bristol study which
was presented at a conference on indoor pollution in Edinburgh.
The scientists are not sure but they suspect the aerosols and air
fresheners increase susceptiblity to health problems by making the skin
more permeable and weakening the body's defences.