Microbiologist and hygienist Christophe Mercier Thellier alerts consumers to the use of a very common household product. It causes many allergies, especially in children. We tell you everything.
Among the most ingrained habits in our homes, that of
perfume and disinfect excessively our interiors has become almost reflex. However, according to an expert in microbiology and hygiene, this obsession with “fragrant cleanliness” could well do more harm than good, especially among the youngest.
“Regular use of household products would be as harmful as smoking 20 cigarettes a day for ten to twenty years,” alert Christophe Mercier Thellier, microbiologist and author of the book
Hygiene is health. This shocking comparison aims to raise awareness among the general public about the cumulative effects of
chemical substances breathed daily. Because by spraying, disinfecting, shining, we often forget that
indoor air can become more polluted than outdoor air.
“Cleanliness has no smell”
The problem, according to the specialist, comes largely from the illusion maintained by manufacturers: that cleanliness has an odor. “Cleanliness has no odor, dirt does. Today, to make us buy more, we are made to believe that there would be a sweet scent of cleanliness. By wanting to fight against microbes, we spread chemicals everywhere.” he explains in an interview with
Telegram. Faced with this escalation of allergenic molecules, he pleads for a return to simple and effective solutions.
“Let’s make informed choices! To clean, we can use what I call ‘the fantastic four’, with which you can do everything
: white vinegar, citric acid, black soap and sodium bicarbonate. He also recommends microfiber as an alternative to disposable wipes and other irritating sprays. But if there is one product that he believes should be banned as a priority, it is fabric softener. This classic detergent, often appreciated for its pleasant smell and the softness it gives to laundry, is in reality a hidden enemy, especially for children.
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Africa/Shutterstock
Fabric softener, an ultra allergenic product for children
In the show It’s Much Better on RTL, the microbiologist did not mince his words. Questioning Dr Jimmy Mohamed who admitted to using fabric softener for his laundry, Christophe Mercier Thellier replied bluntly: “Do you have children? […] Bah never use fabric softener! It is one of the major causes of allergies in children, both skin and respiratory. Even the “hypoallergenic” versions do not escape its criticism: “It doesn’t work. Fabric softeners are full of methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone, which are hyper allergenic.”
And the researcher goes further: “I am a consultant in nursing homes and hospitals, I remove fabric softener when washing residents’ laundry. Because it is a big cause of allergies. No fabric softener. Never, never, never”, he insists. The message is clear: despite its harmless appearance, fabric softener is a risky product, especially for children whose skin and respiratory tract are still fragile. A necessary awareness to change our habits and lighten, literally and figuratively, the air we make our loved ones breathe.
