According to a recent JAMA Network Open study, occupational exposure to hospital disinfectants significantly increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among female nurses in the U.S.
The six-year, 73,262 person cohort study found that occupational exposure to chemical disinfectants and cleaning products was significantly associated with a 25-38% increased risk of developing COPD, independent of smoking and asthma.
The study, released October 18, 2019, is the largest prospective study to date to investigate occupational disinfectant exposure with COPD incidence. In response to current findings, the study authors recommend respiratory protection for all healthcare workers irrespective of disinfectant delivery system.
Current label warnings and safety data sheets of are vague and do not reflect the significance of health risk presented by chemical disinfectant exposure. Clinicians and hospital infection prevention staff should be aware of this new risk and take action to minimize exposure, including investigation of alternative disinfection technologies.
Read the full JAMA Network Open Study here.