Deodorants and sickness

Aerosols used in the homes can have adverse effects on the health of mothers and babies.

According to a new study, aerosols and air fresheners used in the homes can have adverse effects on the health of mothers and babies, as they can cause diarrhea and earache in youngsters and depression in mothers.

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According to the Sun, researchers found 32 per cent more babies suffered from diarrhea in homes where air fresheners or aerosols such as deodorant, polish and hairspray were used daily.

Researchers from Brunel University London, also found youngsters suffered significantly more from earache and showed a slight increase in vomiting. The study also found 16 per cent of mothers who used air fresheners daily reported depression.

Air fresheners and aerosols release high levels of "volatile organic compounds" which may cause discomfort to pregnant women and new born babies.

"People may think that using these products makes their homes cleaner and healthier but being cleaner may not necessarily mean being healthier," lead researcher Dr Alexandra Farrow was quoted as saying.

"Pregnant women and babies up to six months may be particularly susceptible because they spend around 80 per cent of their time at home," she added.