Phthalates, which are used to dissolve and carry fragrance, are linked to changes in hormone levels, poor semen quality, birth defects and reproductive harm, says the NRDC report. Use our tips below for safer, fresher air. Claims like “green” and “all natural” on air freshener packaging do not have legal or regulatory status and are usually marketing ploys. In fact, they make the air harmful to breathe! We sent you an email to create a new password. Even trace amounts of phthalates can accumulate to cause these harmful side-effects. For more VOC safety information, visit EPA.gov. While they may be called “air fresheners,” the name is somewhat misleading. Category: style and fashion perfume and fragrance. “The best smell is no smell. Naphthalene has been shown to cause tissue damage and cancer in the lungs of rodents in laboratory studies. If you own a business, consider joining, Certified Products – find Sustainable Packaging, unable to provide public data or information, more toxic than the air outside our homes, you have a lot of control over the air inside your home, multiple products were used at the same time, Spreading Holiday Cheer Without Toxic Fear, Simmer apple cider with a cinnamon stick on the stove. Headaches, earaches, depression, an irregular heart beat, and diarrhea in babies are just a few of many health challenges that have been … “In a typical day, even on the cleanest day, we will breathe into our lungs millions of particles, and yet we are perfectly fine. Posted by Dr. Ben Kim on Sep 26, 2012. Studies are increasingly showing that chemicals in fragrance are … MADE SAFE® is proud to be a part of the 1% for the Planet network, which connects businesses and nonprofits to protect the planet. “Ultimately your risk depends on exposure,” she says. Be careful which oils you buy, because some are toxic to pets. On store shelves you’ll find them in numerous forms: electric, automatic misting sprays, gels, beads, plug-ins, heated oils, sprays and more. Some secondary pollutants associated with air freshener use include: formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, picric acid, and methyl vinyl ketone. If you’ve ever taken a look at air freshener packaging, you’ve likely noticed that labels only include vague terms like “fragrance” and “odor eliminator.” In many cases, there may be no ingredients listed whatsoever. The toxic effects of air fresheners differ depending on the formulation. Scroll to the end of this article for tips. Air fresheners might be bad for your health Phthalates are especially dangerous because they can penetrate the skin and enter through the nasal cavity. So let’s take a look at the main systems in the body that are affected by these toxic concoctions. “Our lungs are designed as a filter,” he says. “Only natural, pure sources will be free of chemicals. We're On Call 24/7 to react promptly to your ac, heating, and plumbing emergencies. Are air fresheners toxic? Swallowing the gel-type evaporative beads or reed diffuser solutions can cause serious effects in children. Asked By: Marcos Catadiano | Last Updated: 1st April, 2020. But don’t assume every change is something you need to live with as you age. Because they contain ingredients that are associated with various health effects, our constant exposure to air fresheners is cause for concern. According to the World Health Organization, other indoor sources of formaldehyde include: resins found in particleboard and plywood, paints, varnishes, household cleaning products, cosmetics, and more. Phthalate is a dispersant in many of the air fresheners. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) study Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners, 12 of 14 air fresheners they tested contained phthalates. “If you really want an aroma, brew mint tea or grind up a fresh orange,” she suggests. They’re friendly for the whole family. They can then be released and re-enter indoor air, even after the air freshener is no longer in use. Just because it doesn’t kill you, it doesn’t mean it’s not harming you. In a 2007 study of 14 home air fresheners, the NRDC found that 12 of them contained phthalates, including “all-natural” and “unscented” varieties. You can even add water when it’s getting low. As you get older, you might not be able to do the things you used to. Companies are legally allowed to keep fragrance ingredients confidential because they’re deemed trade secrets by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Do you get fatigued or winded easily? Hemolytic anaemia, along with damage to the liver and to the brain can occur from short-term exposure (such as inhaling the chemical), long-term exposure can lead to cataracts and damage to the retina. “Why use an air freshener at all? Some toxic chemicals accumulate in ever-increasing amounts in the human body over a period of years, so the health consequences are rarely attributed to them. Synthetic … Air fresheners emit or cause the formation of numerous substances associated with negative health effects like cancer, neurotoxicity, and effects from endocrine disruption. Whether you want your house to smell like clean laundry or a meadow at dawn, rest assured—there’s an air freshener for that. ). Swallowing large amounts can cause drowsiness or intoxication. And because the brain gets used to a constant smell (in a process called habituation), you might not even be able to smell it for yourself. Kent Pinkerton, director of the Center for Health and the Environment at the University of California Davis, specializes in inhalation toxicology and studies the health impact of particles present in outdoor and indoor environments. Kidney and central nervous system 4 any essential oils emit similar chemicals to air ”. Ingredients used in the air freshener Safety about a decade ago ingredients in air fresheners emit, researchers found... Absorbed through the skin, and if possible, remove the source “ green ” “! Stick to and be absorbed through the skin, and respiratory difficulty from to! Are owned by Nontoxic Certified and are subject to copyright protection when they react with ozone in the air used!, for more info read our can then be released and re-enter indoor air, do! Laboratory studies linked to breast cancer and reproductive problems contain irritants to the,. Car air fresheners for years and years, is that a potential risk? ” of secondary pollutants are concerns. 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