Disinfectants May Cause Respiratory Illness

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Increased use of disinfectants to address H1N1 comes with cautionary information from the National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). In one case, a worker experienced respiratory symptoms after disinfectant was sprayed into the air when people coughed in the workplace.

Although that was an inappropriate use of the product, the case demonstrates the results of overexposure. Maintenance and healthcare workers may be particularly susceptible to disinfectant overexposure.

For more information, visit www.oem.msu.edu/userfiles/file/News/v20n2.pdf.

WP