From NIOSH: Chemical exposure in healthcare differs by task and product
Cleaning and disinfecting products are complex mixtures of chemicals that can irritate the skin. Evidence also shows that exposure to these products may increase the risk of work-related asthma among healthcare workers. But the effects of specific chemicals remain unclear. Now, a NIOSH study published in the journal Annals of Work Exposures and Health has added to our understanding by linking products and tasks to specific exposures.
In work-related asthma, symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath occur from exposure to substances found in the workplace. To identify these exposures in a healthcare setting, investigators measured air levels of 14 chemicals commonly present in cleaners and disinfectants. Known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, these chemicals evaporate at room temperature, becoming airborne, and may potentially cause or worsen asthma if breathed in.