UAE doctors warn about respiratory infections from cleaning products

Medical experts in the UAE are raising awareness about the potential health risks linked to several chemicals commonly found in household cleaning products. These substances, used for disinfection, are respiratory irritants that can affect human lungs. Prolonged exposure to them, especially in poorly ventilated spaces, can lead to significant lung irritation and persistent respiratory symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath. Without proper intervention, these symptoms can result in chronic respiratory issues with serious consequences for a person’s health. The Khaleej Times reports the case of Deepa KC, a Nepalese woman working in the UAE as a housemaid, who developed a lung infection after prolonged exposure to a commonly used floor cleaner. After being diagnosed with the disease, she talked with her employer and obtained to replace the cleaning product with a safer alternative. A similar experience occurred to a Singaporean woman who moved to the UAE in 2014. Initially in good health, she developed breathing problems after frequent exposure to common cleaning products like bleach, ammonia, and aerosol disinfectants. After being diagnosed with lung inflammation, her doctor advised her to stop using such products.
According to specialist pulmonologist Dr Haseeb Puthumannil, prolonged exposure to chemicals in household cleaning products increases the risk of developing conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Ammonia, used in glass cleaners and polishing agents, is especially harmful because it irritates the respiratory tract, causing sneezing and coughing. To minimise risk, Dr Hassan Aref Shabana of Saudi German Hospital Ajman suggests switching to safer alternatives like baking soda, white vinegar, microfiber cloths with water, and steam cleaning.
UAE doctors have also pointed out that indoor air pollution is often worse than outdoors. This is a relevant issue for the country, where high temperatures force people to live for long periods in closed spaces with continuous air conditioning. Indeed, respiratory illnesses affect an increasing portion of the population, with 13-15% of children suffering from asthma. For Dr Hassan, it is essential to raise awareness about the sources of indoor air pollution, including cleaning products, to safeguard public health.