Dust chemicals 'may trigger asthma'

The bacteria lurking in household dust may produce chemicals that trigger asthma, according to a new US study.

Scientists found a link between bacterial chemicals, particularly those found on bedroom floors, and increased respiratory problems in adults.

The study said households with higher concentrations of dust experienced higher levels of asthma-linked problems.

The findings are expected to lead to new insights into how to prevent and treat asthma.

Peter Thorne, lead author and Professor at the University of Iowa, said the study suggested that exposure to such chemicals, known as endotoxins, increased the risk of asthma in everyone.

“Endotoxin exposure worsens asthma symptoms in adults, regardless of whether an individual has allergies or not,” he said.

The study was published online in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

It involved analysis of more than 2,500 dust samples from 831 homes across the US.