I've had pets for most of my life (two dogs and two cats at the moment) and I used to use plug-in and other types of air fresheners sometimes to combat animal odors. But when I was pregnant with my son, I went cold turkey on a lot of household chemicals and this was one of them.
So how safe are these products? The answer might surprise you.
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| Source: thetravelingpraters.com |
Types of Air Fresheners
The fragrance industry is big business in the United States, with sales estimated to reach $2.4 billion in 2014. Approximately 75% of American households use air fresheners.
There are many different types of air fresheners on the market today. One thing they all have in common? Lots of chemicals...
- Continuous release (outlet and battery-operated) air fresheners
- Sprays
- Reed diffusers
- Hanging car air fresheners
- Solid gel dispensers
- Scented candles
- Incense
What's in These Things Anyway?
Good question! Unfortunately, there are no standards or regulations governing the ingredients in air fresheners. The makers of air fresheners aren't required to list their ingredients on their packages or on the material safety data sheets.
As you might imagine, ingredients vary depending on the product type. But according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are four basic ingredients in air fresheners:
Here's a picture of the back of a Febreze Air freshener (link here). Sure enough, no ingredient list (nothing on the front either).
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| Source: soap.com |
Independent Study: Phthalates
In 2007, the National Resources Defense Fund (NRDC), a non-profit environmental action group, conducted a study of air fresheners to determine which ingredients are present. The most concerning finding was the presence of phthalates (pronounced thal-ates).
Phthalates are used in many different products including cosmetics, scented items, vinyl items, furniture, and medical supply items. In air fresheners, phthalates are used to dissolve and carry the smell of the fragrance. Phthalates have been linked with the following health issues:
- Animal studies link prenatal exposure to decreased testosterone, reduced sperm production, and malformed genitalia.
- Human studies show changes in hormone levels, poor semen quality, and changes in genital development.
- Indoor phthalate exposure is also linked with allergies and asthma.
In the study, the NRDC tested 14 commonly used air fresheners and found that 12 of 14 (86%) contained phthalates. Here's the breakdown:
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| Source: NRDC |
Other Chemicals
While the NRDC study focused on phthalates, other dangerous chemicals are also lurking in air fresheners.
A 2005 European Consumers Union study found ingredients such as benzene, toluene, styrene, and formaldehyde in air fresheners; these have been linked with various health problems including cancers of the upper airways, leukemia, neurotoxicity, headache, and nausea (to name just a few).
Research out of Berkeley in 2006 that looked at air fresheners and other cleaning products found potentially dangerous levels of terpenes and ethylene-based glycols. Ethylene-based glycols are classified as hazardous air pollutants by the EPA. Terpenes are not dangerous on their own but react with ozone to produce toxic compounds such as formaldehyde, which is also classified as a carcinogen. The authors present several real life examples, including this one about using an air freshener in a bedroom:
"Air freshener and ozone in a child's bedroom. This scenario could occur when people use both air fresheners and ozone-generating devices simultaneously in a room. This could lead to exposures to formaldehyde that are 25 percent higher than California's guideline value. Because other sources of formaldehyde could also be present in the room, exposure to formaldehyde would probably be even higher, the report states."A 2006 study detected the presence of a volatile organic compound (VOC), called 1,4 dichlorobenzene (1,4 DCB) in many air fresheners linked it to modest reductions in lung function.
In two national studies, approximately 20% of the U.S. population, and 40% of asthmatics, report headaches, breathing difficulties, or other health problems when exposed to air fresheners or deodorizers.
Regulations and Research
Chemicals from air fresheners get into the body by inhalation, absorption, or accidental ingestion. The NRDC explains that there is no simple way to know how many of these toxins get into our bodies, or how much might pose a health hazard. Furthermore, the lack of listed ingredients and misleading claims of "natural" or "non-toxic" on some products make it difficult for consumers to evaluate the safety of products. Here's what the NRDC has to say about the difficulties of ascertaining just how dangerous these products might be:
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| Source: NRDC |
In 2008, the NRDC called for a ban of phthalates but this was rejected by both the EPA and the consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), citing insufficient evidence. However, the EPA did ask the seven largest companies to voluntarily submit product ingredients, concentrations, and other information (most companies have not).
One thing just about everyone agrees on? More research is needed.
What You Can Do: Alternatives to Air Fresheners
- Open a window! (But you probably already knew that one.)
- Choose soy or beeswax candles scented with essential oils (most others release benzene and toluene)
- This website suggests using vodka as an air freshener and coffee grounds or kitty litter for absorbing odor.
- There are a lot a lot of things you can do to freshen your air using essential oils.
- You can also use baking soda and vinegar for many stinky things around the house!
- Simmer cinnamon, cloves, or other natural spices on the stove.
- Don't be fooled by misleading product labels! Even some products labeled "all natural" contain phthalates.
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