Are Air Fresheners Really Fresh?

Introduction

Ah, air fresheners, they smell so good.  But it’s the smell that makes them problematic!  They come in many varieties and scents.  We hang them in our cars, spray them in the air, light them up (scented candle or gel) and plug them in the outlets.  But are the scents they release affecting your health?

In this blog, I review the toxins and chemicals found in air fresheners and the best way to freshen air, naturally.  

I didn’t even think about air fresheners as a form of health and wellness until I saw the air vent in my car being chewed up by the air freshener hanging from it.  So, I researched the chemicals in this pleasantly smelling piece of cardboard and found some shocking information.

Chemicals in air fresheners

When you use an air freshener, you have no way of knowing what’s in it, or if it’s toxic.  You just assume it’s safe because it’s being sold.

Air fresheners have over 100 chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, benzene, and xylenes to name a few.  Formaldehyde and benzene are known carcinogens (can cause cancer).  Xylenes have not been determined as a carcinogen at this time. These are just a few!

Exposure to high levels of VOCs can lead to health effects such as headaches, asthma attacks, and neurological problems. They also can affect your respiratory and cardiovascular system along with hormonal imbalances.

If direct contact can eat the finish from your dashboard, you can only imagine what it’s doing inside your body through inhalation.

More on potential health effects.

What are VOCs?

Volatile organic compounds are gases that are emitted from certain solids or liquids.  Some examples of VOCs include paints, cleaning supplies, pesticides, glues, and the list goes on.

Concentrations of VOCs are higher indoors than outdoors because of ventilation.  Your house and car can trap VOCs for a longer period because of the lack of ventilation versus the outdoors where the air is flowing. Lack of ventilation and inhaling VOCs increases your health risks.

Warning labels

Air fresheners are primary and secondary air pollutants. Primary air pollutants are formed and released directly from the source while secondary pollutants are formed due to the exchanges between the primary and other elements found in the air.  These can be physical or chemical.

Examples of primary air pollutants: carbon monoxide from cars and smoke from fires (natural)

Example of secondary pollutants: smog (ozone)

It’s the VOCs found in the chemicals from the air fresheners that are most concerning.

Companies are not obligated to reveal all their ingredients and usually don’t.  Non-disclosure is legal.

Pro tip:  Some companies may list ingredients on their website.

Are there nontoxic air fresheners?

Air fresheners can release odorless solvents at high concentrations which makes them more dangerous because you can’t detect any smell.  

Be aware when air fresheners are advertised as “all-natural” or “unscented” as these may also contain toxins and chemicals you should not be inhaling. Because there isn’t a regulatory or chemical definition for air fresheners, the claims for “green” or “all-natural” aren’t any safer than regular air fresheners.  The cancer-causing air pollutants found for “all-natural” or “green” when testing wasn’t any less than their counterparts.

Pro tip:  Air fresheners can also be referred to as odor control and neutralizer products.

Best ways to freshen the air

Since air fresheners are mainly used to mask an odor, it’s best to open a window to air out the smell you’re trying to cover up.  When cooking, use the exhaust fan instead of lighting a candle later to cover the fish dinner.  Oh, and you may want to turn on the exhaust fan in the bathroom as a courtesy to the next person. 😊

Get rid of the source.  Maybe it’s time for a new pair of sneakers! Use some baking soda.  Put a few tablespoons in a dish and place in whatever room has the odor.  More tips on using baking soda as an air freshener.

Consider buying a HEPA air filter to help reduce or even eliminate odors.  They’re remarkable at reducing allergens in the home too!

Essential oils depending on the ingredients (check the source) through a diffuser are a safer alternative to freshening the air.

Scoring your air fresheners

If you’d like to find out how well your air freshener rates and the chemicals found in household products you use, check out the EWG guide here.

Conclusion

Burning a candle on special occasions won’t ruin your health, but spraying air freshener every time the cat pees on your carpet might.  Good ventilation is important.  Open the window to air out a stinky room and use some baking soda to help neutralize the urine.

Pro tip: Air fresheners don’t purify or filter the air.

Use air fresheners with minimal use or consider other alternatives as mentioned above.

Share any tips you have to “freshen” the air!

In optimal health,

Lisa