Asthma rates have climbed steadily for decades. The products used to clean your building may be part of the reason.
Over the past 20 years, asthma rates have increased by approximately 50%. While genetics and outdoor pollution play a role, researchers have increasingly focused on indoor environments, where most people spend the vast majority of their time.
The indoor chemical problem
Standard commercial cleaning products contain synthetic chemicals derived from petroleum. When these products are used or stored, they release fumes through a process called off-gassing. In a building with recirculated air, these chemicals don't dissipate. They accumulate.
When combined with dust particles, mold spores, and other indoor contaminants, these chemicals create an environment that can trigger and worsen asthma symptoms. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their smaller body mass and developing respiratory systems.
The numbers
Research has documented a 25% increase in cancer incidence from 1973 to 1998, alongside the 50% rise in asthma rates. An estimated 15% to 30% of Americans now experience some form of chemical sensitivity. These trends correlate with the explosion of synthetic chemical use in commercial and household cleaning products over the same period.
What you can control
As a facility manager, you can't control outdoor air quality. But you can control what happens inside your building. Switching to green cleaning products that don't off-gas toxic compounds, combined with HEPA filtration that captures fine particles instead of recirculating them, directly reduces the asthma triggers in your space.
Delta Janitorial Systems manages green cleaning programs that prioritize occupant health. Schedule a free walkthrough and take control of your indoor environment.