Chemicals Found in Household Cleaning Products Cause Reproductive Decline in Mice

Chemicals commonly found in household cleaning products and disinfectants cause reproductive decline in mice, a new study reveals.

The study led by Virginia Tech researchers found that two active ingredients present in disinfectants led to a dramatic decline in mouse reproduction. These chemicals are present in household cleaning products and disinfectants used in medical and food preparation setting, including hand sanitizers.  But not much is known about the safety or toxicity.

"It is likely that you have these chemicals in your house," said Dr. Terry Hrubec, a research assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences. "The answer to the question, 'Are these chemicals harmful to humans?' is that we simply don't know."

This finding came to light when the researcher noticed that animal care staff dipped their hands in disinfectant before touching the mice. This disinfectant dropped the reproductive performance in the mice. 

"These chemicals have been around for 50 years," said. "They are generally considered safe, but no one has done rigorous scientific research to confirm this."

The two ingredients responsible for the decline were alkyl dimethyl benzalkonium chloride (ADBAC) and dodecyl dimethylammonium chloride (DDAC). They belong to a class of chemicals called 'quatemary ammonium compounds'. They are basically used for their antimicrobial and antistatic properties and because of their ability to lower surface tension between liquids or liquid and a solid. They are present in commercial and household cleaners, disinfectants, hand sanitizers, preservatives in makeup and comestics, fabric softeners and dryer sheets.

"We just tested the two active ingredients in the disinfectant, not the entire class of compounds," Hrubec explained. "To be on the safe side, we need to do more research on these chemicals and find out how they could be affecting human health."

Due to these chemicals the female mice took longer to get pregnant and also had fewer offsprings. Nearly 40 percent of the mothers exposed to ADBAC and DDAC died during the later stage of pregnancy or during delivery.

The team drew comparisons between BPA - bisphenol A - that is found in baby bottles, medical-dental devices and beverage cans. The researchers claimed that all of these chemicals are known to be toxic to humans and can trigger decline in human fertility as well. Howeevr, more research is required to prove the same.

There is a possibility that even though the chemicals are harmful to mice, they might not be dangerous to humans.

The finding was documented in Reproductive Toxicology.