Asthma rates have climbed steadily for decades. The products used to clean your building may be part of the reason. Over the past 20 years, asthma rates have increased by approximately 50%. While genetics and outdoor pollution play a role, researchers have increasingly focused on indoor environments, where most people spend the vast majority of their time.
Over the past 20 years, asthma rates have increased by approximately 50%. While genetics and outdoor pollution play a role, researchers have increasingly focused on indoor environments, where most people spend the vast majority of their time.
How do cleaning chemicals trigger asthma?
Standard commercial cleaning products release synthetic chemical fumes through off-gassing. In buildings with recirculated air, these chemicals accumulate rather than dissipate. When combined with dust particles, mold spores, and other indoor contaminants, they create an environment that triggers and worsens asthma symptoms. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their smaller body mass and developing respiratory systems.
Standard commercial cleaning products contain synthetic chemicals derived from petroleum. When these products are used or stored, they release fumes through a process called off-gassing. In a building with recirculated air, these chemicals don't dissipate. They accumulate.
When combined with dust particles, mold spores, and other indoor contaminants, these chemicals create an environment that can trigger and worsen asthma symptoms. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their smaller body mass and developing respiratory systems.
What is the connection between chemical exposure and rising disease rates?
Research documents a 25% increase in cancer incidence from 1973 to 1998, a 50% rise in asthma rates over two decades, and 15% to 30% of Americans now experiencing some form of chemical sensitivity. These trends correlate directly with the explosion of synthetic chemical use in commercial and household cleaning products during the same period, strengthening the case for chemical exposure as a contributing factor.
Research has documented a 25% increase in cancer incidence from 1973 to 1998, alongside the 50% rise in asthma rates. An estimated 15% to 30% of Americans now experience some form of chemical sensitivity. These trends correlate with the explosion of synthetic chemical use in commercial and household cleaning products over the same period.
How can you reduce asthma triggers in your building?
Facility managers can reduce indoor asthma triggers by switching to green cleaning products that do not off-gas toxic compounds and pairing them with HEPA filtration systems that capture fine particles instead of recirculating them. While you cannot control outdoor air quality, these changes directly eliminate the chemical irritants and airborne particles inside your building that are known to trigger and worsen asthma symptoms.
As a facility manager, you can't control outdoor air quality. But you can control what happens inside your building. Switching to green cleaning products that don't off-gas toxic compounds, combined with HEPA filtration that captures fine particles instead of recirculating them, directly reduces the asthma triggers in your space.
Delta Janitorial Systems manages green cleaning programs that prioritize occupant health. Schedule a free walkthrough and take control of your indoor environment.