Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners
Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners
- Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners
Home Sweet Smelling Home
What's the first thing you notice entering your home? Probably the odor: a chicken in the oven or fresh laundry. Or, perhaps it's fried fish and a soccer uniform in need of awash. Today, however, you can opt to have your home smell like a lemon grove in Tuscany, the Keebler Tree House or a Tahitian breeze. But do these savory scents mask something less than pleasant? Let's find out. - Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners
They Sure Smell Pretty, But Are They Safe?
Some people have the luxury of opening their windows and having the bouquet of the ocean or garden drift in. Most of us don't: An estimated 75 percentof households use air fresheners to the tune of $1.72 billion annually. But while they smell clean or pretty, you may be exposing yourself and your family to toxic air contaminants. - Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners
How Do You Pronounce That?
Turns out that according to a 2007 study by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the lion's share of common commercial household air fresheners -- including sprays,solidgels and plug-ins -- contain phthalates (pronounced thal-ates). These are industrial chemicals used in everything from fragrances to plastics, and more. When you use these air fresheners, phthalates are released into the air, where they can beinhaled or absorbed. Find out what happens when they enter your blood stream. - Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners
Watch Out for Hidden Ingredients
Medical alert: There is evidence that phthalate exposure can cause hormonal abnormalities and has been linked to birth defects and reproductive harm, particularly in males. Unfortunately, manufacturers don't list phthalates on their labels. "Fragrance" is the preferred industry euphemism. - Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners
Allergies In the Air
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, "fragrance" is the number-one cause of allergic cosmetic reactions. Exposure to phthalates has also been associated with asthma and upper airway irritation. Laboratory animal studies also show some of the more commonly used phthalates may be instrumental in tumor formation. There's more. - Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners
Gee, Your Home Smells Dangerous
The aroma of citrus and pine oil in many consumer products, including air fresheners, is uplifting and refreshing, thanks in part to chemicals called terpenes. Although terpenes themselves are not considered toxic, they have been found to react with ozone to produce a variety of toxic compounds, not the least of which is formaldehyde. - Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners
Did You Say Formaldehyde?
The cancer-forming chemicals formaldehyde and benzene have been detected in some air fresheners. Benzene is known to cause leukemia in humans and formaldehyde has been linked to cancers of the upper airways. Before we turn to what products you should stay clear of, note that high levels of indoor air pollutants called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have also been found lurking in some air fresheners. - Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners
First, the Bad News
As part of its 2007 "Clearing the Air" study, National Resources Defense Council researchers found that these four air fresheners contain highest level of phthalates: Ozium Glycol-ized Air Sanitizer and Walgreens' Air Freshener Spray, Scented Bouquet Air Freshener and Solid Air Freshener. Follow for products that contain moderate, trace and no phthalates. - Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners
The Not-So Bad News
Moderate chemical levels were found in Air Wick Scented Oil, Febreze NOTICEables Scented Oil, Glade Air Infusions, Glade PlugIn Scented Oil and Oust Air Sanitizer Spray. Citrus Magic, Lysol Brand II Disinfectant and Oust Fan Liquid Refills were found to have trace levels of phthalates. And those in the clear... - Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners
The Envelope Please
Just two air fresheners came up smelling like roses: Febreze Air Effects Air Refresher and Renuzit Subtle Effects. Does that mean you should spray away to your heart's content?
