How can we protect ourselves from the harmful effects of aerosols?

You could start by using fewer of them. Other than that, it's up to manufacturers to work out which chemical mixtures are harmful in our homes.

The concern over aerosols was highlighted this week by Alexandra Farrow, an epidemiologist at Brunel University, who has just completed a study of the effects of the air fresheners, sprays and polishes used in the homes of 10,000 families around Bristol. She found that almost a third more babies suffered diarrhoea and earaches in homes that used air fresheners daily compared with homes that used them no more than once a week.

Polishes, deodorant and hairspray were also found to contribute to the increase in diarrhoea and vomiting in babies. There were also raised instances of headaches and depression for mothers.

Farrow says that there are many volatile organic compounds in house hold aerosols that could be causing damage. "The compounds that are in these products are often hidden by perfume," she says. "We know that these fragranced products have got a lot of associated ill health from experimental and toxicological data. We also know that neurotoxicity testing is not required by national authorities for classification of chemicals. Certainly no one is testing the mixtures of compounds and sub stances we use in our homes"

To reduce the risk of overexposure to artificial chemicals, Farrow says that manufacturers need to be more explicit. "They'll tell you what's not in them - no ammonia, no bleach, no phosphates - but they never tell you what is in them," she says.

Proper labelling could allow consumers to decide if they really want those chemicals into their home. In addition, Farrow says manufacturers need to do more research into the effects these chemicals have on people.

The advice for consumers is simple. "People should use [aerosols] less frequently - maybe once a week rather than every day," says Farrow. Instead of using an air freshener, for example, open a window or leave some cut oranges in your room. "Then you can eat them at the end of the day," says Farrow. "You'll be doing yourself a favour on two counts."

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