Hidden Danger of Popular Disinfectants Revealed 0 9

A study by scientists from the University of California, Davis, has shown that disinfectants containing quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC) may be much more dangerous when inhaled than when ingested. In an experiment on mice, the researchers found severe lung damage at blood levels of QAC similar to those found in humans. The study was published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology (EST).

The scientists discovered that when inhaling these chemicals, lung damage was 100 times more severe and 100 times more lethal than when ingested. This raises questions about the safety of aerosol disinfectants, which are commonly used in homes and public spaces.

Quaternary ammonium compounds have been widely used since the 1940s in popular disinfectants. These chemicals typically do not evaporate on their own but are often found in cleaning sprays that can be inhaled when sprayed. Studies have also shown that 80 percent of participants had traces of these chemicals in their blood, indicating the possibility of their entry into the body through the respiratory tract.

The results of the study prompt a reconsideration of the safety of using disinfectant aerosols in everyday life. The scientists emphasize that further research is needed to understand how dangerous these substances may be for humans, especially with prolonged exposure.