London, Oct 21 (IANS) Chemicals found in wall paints and cleansers could practically double children's risk of developing asthma and hayfever.

Researchers from Karlstad University, Sweden, found youngsters had up to 180 percent greater risk of developing allergies if they were exposed to chemicals known as PGEs in their bedrooms.

Carl-Gustaf Bornehag, study leader, said: "The study shows for the first time that the concentration of PGEs, propylene glycol and glycol ethers, in bedroom air was linked to an increased risk of developing asthma, rhinitis and eczema in children."

"The increase in risk varied between 50 and 180 percent. A higher concentration of PGEs in indoor air was found to be associated with children evincing antibodies (IgE) against allergens such as cats, dogs, pollen," reports the Daily Mail.

"Our analyses also revealed that the use of water-based paint in the dwelling, as well as water-based cleansers, was linked to a higher concentration of PGEs in bedroom air."

The chemicals can also be found in some plastic toys and packaging, according to the journal Public Library of Science One.

Researchers studied 198 pre-school children with asthma and allergies along with 202 healthy controls in Varmland, Sweden.

Air samples were taken from the children's bedrooms and eight groups of volatile compounds were analysed.

The children were then examined by doctors while their parents filled in a general health questionnaire about the family's health and lifestyle.