Health Minute: Regular use of house cleaners as harmful as cigarette pack, researchers say

(CNN) — Another reason to skip the house cleaning today. A new study suggests the toxic chemicals found in most cleaning products may be just as harmful as the ones in cigarettes.

Turns out cleaning your bathroom may have a dangerous impact of your respiratory system.

Researchers say regular use of house cleaners is just as harmful as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.

The American Thoracic Society published the study last month.

For the study, more than 6,000 men and women around the world were tracked for 20 years.

The women who used cleaning supplies daily either at home or at work, were linked to a sharp decline in lung capacity. They also had a higher risk of asthma.

It’s unclear why the same trend was not seen in men. But scientists suggest you ditch the sprays and clean using a cloth and water instead, or use products with safer disinfectants and organic ingredients, like rubbing alcohol.

Researchers hope their findings highlight the need for cleaning products that lower the exposure of harmful chemicals.