The Truth About Air Fresheners–They’re Toxic!
Guest Post by Helen Lovell-Wayne, MS, Edited by Susan Callery
This article was written to help people understand what’s really in the air fresheners they use. If enough people speak up and make safer choices, companies may start making healthier, more eco-friendly products.
You’ve probably seen or used air fresheners like Tropical Rain Forest, Hawaiian Breeze, or Apple Cinnamon. They come as sprays, plug-ins, gels, or even little trees hanging from car mirrors. Many people use them to make their homes or cars smell nice—but these products can be harmful.
Tropical Rain Forest, Summer Sky, Hawaiian Breeze, and Apple Cinnamon are just some of the air freshener fragrances the public can buy in their local store. Air fresheners can be sprayed plugged in, lighted, placed loose in the house, or hung on rear view mirrors. To the public this is just a way of making the day more pleasant. But air fresheners are not as benign as they appear. They release pollutants. Hence the can cause: eye irritations, dry mucous membranes, mental fatigue, headaches, hoarseness, wheezing, nausea, dizziness, neurological disorders, cancer, allergic reactions and even death (Augustine Airaodin et al).
What’s Really in Air Fresheners–Dangerous Chemicals!
Air fresheners don’t actually clean the air—they just cover up bad smells. And once the fresh scent wears off, the original smell usually comes back. But bad smells can be useful. They can warn us about problems like mold, sewage leaks, or contaminated water. Covering them up might mean we miss these warning signs, which can lead to serious health and money problems.
Air fresheners are made with strong chemicals. Some use natural oils, but most are made from synthetic (man-made) materials. They often contain alcohol to help release the scent, but the real concern is the other chemicals added—like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), linalool, benzene, and phthalates. These can cause health problems such as headaches, dizziness, breathing issues, and even cancer.
No Rules About What’s Inside
A lot of people think the government checks everything that could be harmful to our health. But that’s not always true. Companies that make scented products don’t have to list the ingredients that create the smell. So, they can use almost any chemical—even toxic ones—and they don’t have to tell us.
Some people get very sick when they breathe in air fresheners, especially those with asthma, autism, or chemical sensitivities. Because of this, some workplaces have created scent-free policies. That means employees and visitors can’t wear scented products or use air fresheners. Studies show that more than half of people prefer scent-free places. Workers in these environments are healthier, happier, and more productive. In one case, a worker won $100,000 in a lawsuit after getting sick from scented products at work.
Healthier Ways to Freshen Air
So, what can you do if your space smells bad? First, open your windows to let fresh air in. Try to find and fix the source of the smell—maybe it’s mold, spoiled food, or a leaky pipe. If the smell won’t go away, you might consider getting a good air purifier.
Clean air is important—not just for people, but for animals and the whole planet. Let’s protect our health and the environment by skipping scented products. The more we know, the better choices we can make—for ourselves and for each other.
Link to original article: The Air Freshener That I Breathe
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