Cross-sectional associations between occupational exposure profiles in daycares, evaluated from chemical composition of disinfectants and cleaning products, and asthma symptoms

OBJECTIVE: While adverse respiratory health effects of exposure to disinfectants and cleaning products (DCPs) are well-documented in cleaners/healthcare workers, no study has investigated their impact on daycare workers. We evaluated cross-sectional associations between occupational exposures to DCPs, considering them as a mixture of chemical compounds and asthma in CRESPI daycare workers. METHODS: Use of DCPs in daycares was assessed using a smartphone application. We retrieved their chemical compounds, classifying them as irritants, sensitisers, quaternary ammonium compounds and biocides. Latent class analysis (LCA) was conducted to identify exposure profiles for the weekly used DCPs/compounds. We assessed associations of the identified exposure profiles with the asthma symptom score (0-5) using negative binomial regressions, adjusted for age, smoking status and body mass index and accounted for daycare centre. RESULTS: Analyses included 311 women (43 years, people who smoke: 11%). The LCA identified three exposure profiles: no weekly use of DCPs (LC1 prevalence: 24%), weekly use of a moderate number of irritants (LC2: 37%), weekly use of a high number of irritants, respiratory sensitisers and biocides (LC3: 39%). Women in LC2 and LC3 had a higher risk for asthma symptoms compared with those in LC1. The association was borderline statistically significant for LC3 (mean score ratio (MSR)=1.56; 95% CI 0.99 to 2.46) and weaker for LC2 (MSR=1.34 95% CI 0.85 to 2.13). CONCLUSION: Our results show positive associations between weekly occupational use of numerous DCPs and those with multiple types of chemical compounds in daycares and asthma symptoms in daycare workers.