Women and Chemicals

Where are women exposed to chemicals?
bronchitis, heart diseases and emphysema in adult women.
Use of biomass fuel (woodfuel and charcoal) may also lead to
diseases like cataracts and low birth weight in babies of exposed
expectant mothers. As poor women and children are
the main victims of this kind of indoor pollution, a compelling
alternative needs yet to be established.
Another common source for diseases in homes is mould.
It grows naturally in humid areas of the house. Often colonies
can be found underneath the wallpaper or behind cupboards.
Mould fungi, even when dead, can trigger asthma, irritation of
the skin and mucous membranes or flu-like symptoms. Recent
studies show that exposure to mould affects women in a
different way than men. One study has shown that dampness
and indoor mould growth common in dwellings is a risk factor
for lung function decline, especially in women. 16 Badly
functioning ventilation systems or highly insulated houses,
where air cannot circulate properly, are high risk factors for
developing mould.
Other sources for indoor air pollution are harmful chemicals
off-gassing from products like furniture, clothes, carpets,
toys, etc. To reduce exposure, rooms need to be aired frequently
and products containing harmful chemicals have to be
avoided. Since strict laws banning hazardous chemicals in
products are rarely in place and often good information on
chemical content is not available, this is very difficult to implement
for the individual consumer.
Typical exposure source at home –
cleaning detergents
Cleaning the house is still mainly the task of women
around the world. “The more, the better” is common thinking
in terms of cleaning detergents, which leads to overdosing,
although modern cleaners work effectively even in small doses.
Many chemicals contained in household cleaning and care
products are the same as those used in industrial cleaning
agents. They can contain strong irritants, sensitizing and allergenic
substances and fragrances, phosphates, carcinogenic
and neurotoxic solvents. Some of the most observed effects
are skin irritations, allergies and respiratory problems. The effect
of household cleaning agents on women is not well
known. However, there are occupational health studies showing
effects on women. The ILO states “Some large populationbased
epidemiological studies have found high cancer rates
among cleaners“. 17 Among women, invasive cervical cancer is
almost five times more common among cleaners than other
women. These results are attributed to chemical exposures,
particularly solvents.“ 18
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