In fact, some of the unscented ingredients (like solvents) can be emitted in even higher concentrations than ingredients that impart scent. They can then be released and re-enter indoor air, even after the air freshener is no longer in use.Īir fresheners contain synthetic fragrance ingredients to impart a scent, but they also contain other ingredients including those that suspend or bind the fragrance to the liquid, gel, or solid substrate those that disperse the fragrance and those that preserve the product. These secondary pollutants are also concerns for human health (see more below).Īir freshener chemicals can also stick to and be absorbed by furniture, walls and surfaces, carpets, and more. Some secondary pollutants associated with air freshener use include: formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, picric acid, and methyl vinyl ketone. Instead, when primary ingredients mix with ozone (a common indoor and outdoor pollutant), new substances are created, which are called secondary pollutants.

Some indoor air pollutants associated with air fresheners aren’t substances emitted directly from the air freshener. High concentrations of VOCs have been measured in the emissions from numerous air freshener types too, including sprays, plug-ins, solids, and more. Levels were even higher when air quality was measured when multiple products were used at the same time (cleaning products, air fresheners, and perfume). These include: volatile organic compounds ( VOCs), benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, m,p-xylene, phthalates, and more.įor example, formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, has been measured at high levels. That’s because in studies measuring the different substances that air fresheners emit, researchers have found numerous chemicals associated with toxic effects.

One simple action to improve the air quality in your home is by switching from conventional air fresheners to healthier options. Indoor air is important because between school, the workplace, and our homes, people today tend to spend the majority of time indoors – up to 90 percent. Ommon household products like air fresheners, cleaning products, personal care products, and even furniture contribute significantly to indoor air pollution (along with other sources like appliances, radon, building materials, and outdoor sources). Most of us are familiar with outdoor air pollution, but did you know that the air inside our homes can be more toxic than the air outside our homes? While this might have come as a surprise, the good news is that you have a lot of control over the air inside your home! While some air freshener products claim they can do just that, when asked for data to back up their claims, manufacturers were unable to provide public data or information. Air fresheners likely don’t actually improve air quality by removing impurities. While they may be called “air fresheners,” the name is somewhat misleading. Not to mention a large portion of the population experiences headaches and respiratory difficulty from exposure to fragrance. Researchers have measured and identified air freshener chemicals that are linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, and effects from endocrine disruption. Scroll to the end of this article for tips.īecause they contain ingredients that are associated with various health effects, our constant exposure to air fresheners is cause for concern. There are numerous ways to obtain safer and fresher air in your home, school, and workplace.

A majority of people prefer fragrance-free air.Claims like “green” and “all natural” on air freshener packaging do not have legal or regulatory status and are usually marketing ploys.Air fresheners emit or cause the formation of numerous substances associated with negative health effects like cancer, neurotoxicity, and effects from endocrine disruption.Air fresheners are a source of indoor air pollution.Air inside our homes can be more polluted than air outside our homes.

Electric liquid air freshener