Readers may be left in the dark.
An article in the London Telegraph covers innovative new research on use of cleaning products and breast cancer risk, but a factual error and lack of context may hinder readers’ ability to make sense of it.
In his article, London Telegraph reporter Richard Allenye discusses new research suggesting that use of household cleaners and air fresheners may be associated with increased risk of breast cancer. The article successfully conveys the main finding of the research – namely, that risk of breast cancer was greater among women who reported having used high levels of cleaning products and air fresheners in the past. Allenye’s piece also points out valid study limitations.
However, a factual inaccuracy and an insufficient discussion of why cleaning products might be linked to breast cancer may leave readers puzzled.
Allenye reports that the Silent Spring Institute in Massachusetts found that women who used numerous cleaning products developed breast cancer at higher rates than women who “never touched them.” This may leave some readers believing that any use is dangerous and the risks, therefore, unavoidable. In reality, the study found higher risks in the women who reported using the most products when compared to those who reported using the fewest, an important distinction given that virtually all families use cleaning products in their homes today.
A more critical omission, however, is that the article makes little mention of why cleaning products and air fresheners might be harmful. Admittedly, the current study alone does not answer that question; however, that context is needed for readers to fully understand the importance and plausibility of the findings.
Cleaning products – including air fresheners and mold/mildew cleaners – can contain compounds that present possible health hazards. Air fresheners commonly contain phthalates – a group of hormone-disrupting chemicals linked to health concerns ranging from obesity to ADHD. They may also contain terpenes, which can react with ozone in the environment to form formaldehyde, as well as benzene and styrene, all known cancer-causing agents. Mold and mildew products also often contain phthalates and other compounds, such as antimicrobials and surfactants.
When such products are used to clean the home, they may inadvertently enter the human body as people breathe them through the air, absorb them by touching surfaces, or even ingest them in their food. By including chemical ingredients which might contribute to breast cancer risk and how exposure may occur, Allenye could help readers understand the findings.
