{"id":2348,"date":"2012-08-15T12:10:43","date_gmt":"2012-08-15T17:10:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/nanotechnology\/?p=2348"},"modified":"2026-03-07T09:34:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T14:34:53","slug":"the-sweet-smell-of-cardiovascular-hazards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/health\/2012\/08\/15\/the-sweet-smell-of-cardiovascular-hazards\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sweet Smell of \u2026 Cardiovascular Hazards?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kyle Ward is an intern in EDF’s Health Program.\u00a0<\/em> Jennifer McPartland, Ph.D.<\/em><\/a>, is a Health Scientist.<\/em><\/p>\n

When you think of air fresheners what is the first thing that comes to mind? \u00a0Fresh spring flowers? \u00a0French vanilla? \u00a0Reduced Heart Rate Variability? \u00a0While that last one may not be on everyone\u2019s mind, it certainly has been for one team of scientists. \u00a0They have recently conducted the first study ever to examine the potential for exposure to household cleaning sprays, air fresheners and scented products to adversely affect people\u2019s cardiovascular systems.\u00a0 Their findings, published in last month\u2019s Environmental Health Perspectives<\/em><\/a>, show a linkage between long-term use of household sprays and scented products and reduced heart rate variability<\/a> (HRV).\u00a0 Reduced HRV is associated with increased risk for a host of negative health effects ranging from heart attack to death.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Heart rate variability is a measure of variation in time between heartbeats.\u00a0 Like blood pressure or pulse, HRV is used to assess cardiovascular health.\u00a0\u00a0 Reduced HRV is associated with an increased risk of nonfatal cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and increased blood pressure, as well as increased risk of all-cause mortality in the general population (the annual number of deaths in a particular age group).<\/p>\n

The subjects of the new study are part of the ongoing Swiss Cohort Study on Air Pollution and Lung and Heart Diseases in Adults<\/a> (SAPALDIA) established in 1991. \u00a0The researchers collected HRV data on 581 Swiss adults meeting the study criteria and looked to see whether HRV was correlated with each subject\u2019s use of household cleaning sprays and scented products.<\/p>\n

Participants\u2019 HRV was measured using 24-hour electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring.\u00a0 Specifically, data from ECG monitoring was used to calculate two different values that are expressions of heart rate variability\u2014much the same way that beats per minute is an expression of pulse.<\/p>\n

The results of the analysis are striking:\u00a0 increased use of all studied household products (cleaning sprays, air freshening sprays, and scented products) was associated with reduced HRV. \u00a0\u00a0The greatest reductions in HRV came from individuals who used air freshening sprays 4-7 days a week, representing the highest exposure category of participants in this study. \u00a0When compared to unexposed participants, these individuals averaged an 11% reduction in one of the two measures of HRV and a 29% reduction in the other.<\/p>\n

Quite interestingly, the study also found that individuals already suffering from obstructive lung disease (OBS) appeared to be more susceptible to exposure-associated reductions in HRV than other participants. \u00a0\u00a0OBS includes asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease<\/a> (COPD), all of which obstruct air flow to and from the lungs.\u00a0 In particular, individuals with symptoms or other evidence of COPD showed significantly greater reductions in HRV compared to individuals with similar exposure patterns to household sprays and scented products but without such indications.<\/p>\n

These findings reflect the need to consider different sub-populations when assessing a chemical\u2019s risks, as certain groups\u2014such as those with pre-existing conditions\u2014may be more susceptible than others to the same exposures.<\/p>\n

The biological mechanisms linking reduced HRV to the use of household sprays and scented products are not fully understood, but the authors point to two publications from the American Heart Association (AHA) for insight.<\/p>\n