Chemical Irritants

Chemical irritants inside the home include:

• air fresheners
• cleaners
• cosmetics (especially nail polish and perfumes)
• paints
• scented candles

Exposure to these chemicals can persist long after the chemical is used.

Health Effects

Chemical irritants can trigger asthma symptoms in sensitive individuals.  In addition, even in non-asthmatic individuals, breathing in these kinds of chemicals is unhealthy. Any steps you take to reduce the amount of chemical irritants in your home will make your home healthier.

Links

• American Lung Association, Asthma web page
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Asthma web page
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Asthma Triggers: Gain Control web page
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Consumers-Best Burn Practices web page
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) web page
• National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Asthma web page

Printable Resources