Ultra-clean homes could trigger childhood leukaemia.

A UK study has found an alarming set of events could be set in motion when kids susceptible to leukaemia aren't exposed to enough bugs at an early age.

Auckland University pathology professor Dr Peter Browett told Tim Dower it's fascinating research.

"One of their hypothesise is that if we're not exposed to these sort of infections our immune system doesn't develop early on and there may be an abnormal response that occurs later on."

LISTEN ABOVE AS DR PETER BROWETT TALKS TO TIM DOWER