Science Confirms It: Air Fresheners Suck

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Finally, Science is on the side of all that is right and good in the world, declaring that air fresheners and scented candles can indeed be irritating, and not just in the way that makes you mouth-breathe and feel skeezy inside.

"Home fragrances" like air fresheners and scented candles can trigger allergies and even cause severe asthma attacks, according to a new study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology conference this week. That ~~sickly-smelling~~ fresh nature scent is probably chock-full of volatile organic compounds, including scary stuff like formaldehyde. No wonder your nose is revolting against those gnarly artificial attacks upon its sensibility.

"There has been a shift among home fragrance consumers that pleasant smelling homes are not just for the holidays. We also are seeing a trend by manufacturers to market these products as aromatherapy which implies health and mood-boosting benefits although there are no scientific studies to support these claims," said author Dr. Stanley Fineman. He suggested opening the window as an alternative, if your lungs haven't already given out from years of air-freshener abuse.

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By Jamie Feldmar in News on November 8, 2011 5:55 PM

Comments [rss]

yahoo-FUY6OLW67MGN6HEZIBMLWFU5DY

I'm throwing out my air sprays and using a more
natural solution, like Quirky's Airee (http://qrky.co/tnshd2). It's a container
that holds baking soda, herbs, orange rinds, etc to scent your home naturally.

Peanut_Butter

Just keep a clean home and keep it well vented. How difficult is that?

Not only are the fresheners an assault on the olfactory sense, but the product is not some magical spray that actually extracts the allergens or the bad odors from the air, it simply pours more of the stronger stuff out there to cover over. It's a bandage and not a proper solution which is to minimize rotting, stale and moldy stuff in the home.

BKPhil

The NRDC recently tested 14 different air fresheners and found that
12 contained chemicals called phthalates (pronounced thal-ates),
chemicals that can cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects and
reproductive problems. Even air fresheners marketed as "all-natural" or
"unscented" contained the hazardous chemicals.

In addition to phthalates, air fresheners may contain allergens, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as cancer-causing chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde.

http://www.enn.com/green_build...
http://www.time.com/time/healt...
http://www.nrdc.org/health/hom...

StarryGordon

Consider using house plants to improve the air, if you can remember to water them occasionally.

Spraying antiseptics everywhere habitually is a bad move. Most microorganisms are harmless and many are beneficial. If you kill the ones you've got, others which may not be as nice will move into their ecological slots in a few minutes or hours. You will also breed more resistant microorganisms. As usual, mindless aggression turns out to be a bad policy.

Greg

essential oilzzzz yo

hc792

The only air freshener that I think works without being to heavy is Febreeze. I use it all the time.

mmheidelberger

I definitely avoid spray fresheners because I've had asthma attacks triggered by them. Incense is just as bad if not worse. I must brace myself for cold and flu season because of that germphobe at work that sprays scented aerosol lysol all over everything.

nicemarmot

Yep. I'm allergic to that garbage. Makes riding the subway with someone doused in cologne really fun.

choosler

I make my own air freshener with a couple dozen drops of lavender essential oil diluted in witch hazel. Smells much more "real" and fresh than the chemical crap.