article_snippet.sent: The more bleach used in the home, the more likely children were to become ill, a study found .
article_snippet.sent: Bleach could leave children more susceptible to catching flu, tonsillitis or other infections, according to a study published earlier this month.
article_snippet.sent: Researchers found a link between a weekly use of bleach in the home and the frequency of infections, particularly respiratory ones.
article_snippet.sent: Researchers concluded that passive exposure to bleach was associated with a 20 per cent increase in the risk of flu in the previous year.
article_snippet.sent: passive exposure to bleach was associated with a 20 per cent increase in the risk of flu in the previous year was also linked with a 35 per cent rise in the risk of recurrent tonsillitis.
article_snippet.sent: In light of the findings, experts said the use of bleach in the home was a 'public health concern.' a study looked at the potential impact of exposure to bleach among more than 9,000 schoolchildren between the ages of six and 12 in the Netherlands, Finland and Barcelona.
article_snippet.sent: Parents were asked to complete a questionnaire on the number and frequency of flu, tonsillitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, otitis (inflammation of the ear canal), and pneumonia infections Parents children had suffered in the preceding 12 months.
article_snippet.sent: Parents were also asked whether Parents used bleach to clean Parents homes at least once a week.
article_snippet.sent: a study took into account factors such as passive smoking at home, parental education, household mould and use of bleach to clean schools.
article_snippet.sent: the findings indicated that the number and frequency of infections were higher among children whose parents regularly used bleach to clean the home in all three countries.
article_snippet.sent: As well as being statistically significant for flu and tonsillitis, the risk of any recurrent infection was 18 per cent higher among children whose parents regularly used bleach.
article_snippet.sent: One possible explanation was that the irritant properties of compounds generated during the cleaning process may damage the lining of lung cells, sparking inflammation and making it easier for infections to take hold.