Air Fresheners: are they making you sick?

Some 75 percent of U.S. households use air fresheners, according to NRDC. The air freshener industry is now worth over $1.72 billion in the United States, a 50-percent increase over 2003.

It is estimated that 95% of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum. It has also been estimated that more than 3000 different chemicals are used in fragrance production.
Even some essential oils are not entirely natural (the cheap aromatherapy oils sold in stores) as harsh chemicals are used in their extraction process. Chemical solvents such as hexane and heptane are used to extract the maximum amount of essential oil from the plant, so it is important to buy high quality oils from a source you trust - such as Young Living Essential Oils.

Why are air fresheners making us sick?

Air Fresheners: can coat your nasal passages with an oil film and/or reduce your ability to smell odors. These products often contain Formaldehyde - a highly toxic material that can irritate eyes, nose, throat, and skin. High exposure can cause nausea, headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness, memory loss and shortness of breath. Other chemicals include Phenol, a skin irritant that can cause swelling, burning, and peeling. High doses of Phenol can also cause cold sweats, convulsions, circulatory collapse, coma, and even death.
The main toxin in room fresheners, urinal cakes, moth balls, paints, household cleaning products, and vehicle exhaust fumes is 1,4 dichlorobenzene (1,4 DCB).
A recent National Institute of Environmental Health Services (NIEHS) study published in Environmental Health Perspectives showed that among 953 adults 1,4 DCB was linked to a reduction in lung function. Check your household products, read the labels to see if they contain 1,4 DCB.
Even air fresheners marketed as "all-natural" or "unscented" contain hazardous chemicals.
The air fresheners the NRDC tested included aerosol sprays, liquids that emit a continuous scent, and a solid. Of the 14 products tested by NRDC, there was wide variation in the level of phthalates contained. Three of the 14 products had very high levels-more than 100 parts per million (ppm) including products that ranged from 360 ppm to 7,307 ppm.
In addition to phthalates, many air fresheners contain allergens, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as cancer-causing chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde.
Phthalates are found in a wide array of consumer products, including cosmetics and fragrances, pharmaceuticals, vinyl children's toys, automobiles and paints. Phthalates are known to interfere with production of testosterone and have been associated with reproductive abnormalities.
Because there are no labeling requirements it is virtually impossible for consumers to know which products may pose a risk.

A study of 14 common household air fresheners has found that most contain chemicals that can aggravate asthma and affect reproductive development, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). "There are too many products on the shelves that we assume are safe, but have never even been tested," said Dr. Gina Solomon, NRDC senior scientist. "The government should be keeping a watchful eye on these household items and the manufacturers who produce them."
The study assessed scented sprays, gels, and plug-in air fresheners. Independent lab testing confirmed the presence of phthalates, or hormone-disrupting chemicals that may pose a particular health risk to babies and young children, in 12 of the 14 products - including those marked "all natural." None of the products had these chemicals listed on their labels, according to the report. Pregnant women and children should avoid products that contain phthalates.

Kill Germs and Freshen Indoor Air Naturally

On the physical level, essential oils help combat biological contaminants by binding to the airborne molecules of fat that typically carry unpleasant odors. Citrus essential oils make terrific air fresheners around the home, kitchens, in offices, schools and public places and very few people object to the smell. Synthetic air fresheners, on the other hand, only mask the undesirable odors and often cause people o not feel well and complain about the odor.

From Ask Dr. Weil: Air Fresheners - are they bad for my health?

Q: I use air fresheners in my home, but have been told I shouldn't. Are they bad for my health?
A: It certainly looks like they are. Recent research strongly suggests that they raise your risk of a number of pulmonary diseases. Last year researchers found that being exposed to chemicals from air fresheners as little as once a week may increase your odds of developing asthma symptoms by 71 percent. And a 2006 study showed that people with high blood levels of the chemical 1,4 dichlorobenzene commonly found in air fresheners - were more likely to experience a decline in lung function.
Other studies point to a cancer link. University of California, Berkeley, researchers determined that, when used in small, poorly ventilated rooms, some air fresheners emit pollutants that create high levels of formaldehyde, a carcinogen shown to cause cancer in animals and respiratory irritation in humans.
Last year, the Natural Resources Defense Council evaluated 14 air fresheners, 12 of which had varying amounts of phthalates, chemicals that may affect fertility, cause cancer, and trigger developmental abnormalities in infants. The NRDC and other environmental groups filed a petition calling for all air freshener-related products to be tested for consumer safety and regulated by the government.
I recommend freshening the air by opening windows and eliminating the sources of unpleasant odors. If you enjoy aromas indoors, opt for natural items such as a lavender plant, potted herbs, or a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Andrew Weil, M.D., is a pioneer in the field of holistic health and founder and director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Arizona. He received his medical training at Harvard University.