The Dangers of Air Fresheners

Many people use air fresheners in their homes, offices, and cars. 75% of American homes use an air freshener product. These products can reduce indoor air quality, where we spend about 90% of our time. This makes it important to be aware of the potential health impacts of regular exposure to the ingredients in these products.

Over 100 chemicals are emitted by air fresheners. Many of these chemicals are carcinogens, allergens, and respiratory irritants. Companies do not disclose the ingredients of their air fresheners, because they are considered trade secrets and can be exploited by competitors. This makes it impossible to select a clean product unless it has a third party certification verifying that it is nontoxic.

“Air freshener exposures, even at low levels, have been associated with a range of adverse health effects, which include migraine headaches, asthma attacks, breathing difficulties, respiratory difficulties, mucosal symptoms, dermatitis, infant diarrhea and earache, neurological problems, and ventricular fibrillation.”

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Common ingredients that pose hazards include 1,4-diclorobenzene, acetaldehyde, benzene, toluene, d-limonene, formaldehyde, parabens, phthalates, styrene, xylene, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and glycol ethers., Each of these chemicals have specific health impacts. 

Short term 1,4-diclorobenzene exposure can cause skin, eye, and throat irritation. When exposure is prolonged, the liver, skin, and central nervous system can be damaged. Resulting conditions include reduced reflexes, limb weakness, mispronunciation of words, coordination issues, and balance issues. This chemical is also classified as a possible human carcinogen.

Acetaldehyde exposure can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, as well as coughing, fluid build up in the lungs, and necrosis. Chronic exposure to acetaldehyde can cause symptoms that are similar to those of alcoholism, like cardiovascular conditions, liver damage, kidney damage, respiratory issues, and weakened immune system. Acetaldehyde is considered a probable human carcinogen.

Short term exposure to benzene, a known human carcinogen, can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, blisters, drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, unconsciousness, vomiting, and convulsions. Chronic exposure could lead to cancer, blood disorders, and reproductive issues. 

Toluene, another harmful substance found in many air fresheners, is used to produce benzene. Effects of short term exposure to toluene include central nervous system dysfunction, narcosis, fatigue, headaches, nausea, cardiac arrhythmia, liver swelling, and lung damage. Long term exposure can cause central nervous system damage, drowsiness, tremors, poor muscle coordination, involuntary eye movements, respiratory and nasal inflammation, lesions, developmental abnormalities, speech impairment, vision damage, and hearing loss.

Relative to other air freshener ingredients, d-limonene is less concerning, but still poses some health risks. It could cause skin irritation and damage, allergic reactions, and respiratory irritation.

Formaldehyde is a highly toxic substance that is carcinogenic and mutagenic, meaning that it causes cancer and alters DNA. Short term effects of exposure include skin and eye burning and irritation, ear, mouth, and throat irritation, coughing, shortness of breath, and fluid in the lungs. Long lasting effects include damage to developing babies and reduced female fertility.

Parabens can be found in many air fresheners and personal care products. “Parabens can disrupt hormones in the body and harm fertility and reproductive organs, affect birth outcomes, and increase the risk of cancer.” Skin irritation can also occur with paraben exposure. The potential carcinogenic effect of this chemical is due to hormonal imbalances that can occur. Parabens act like estrogens and can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.,

Phthalates are another endocrine disrupting ingredient found in air fresheners and other fragranced products. “Some of the health harms associated with phthalates are changes to fertility, early puberty and risk of low birth weight, obesity, diabetes, impacts to the immune system, cardiovascular and respiratory problems, some cancers and neurological and behavioral problems.” This chemical is not usually disclosed on ingredient panels and falls under the general term of “fragrance.”

Short term effects of styrene exposure can cause mucous respiratory irritation, eye irritation, and gastrointestinal issues. Central nervous system damage can occur after long term exposure. Symptoms include headaches, fatigue, weakness, depression, reduced reaction time, memory impairment, brain fog, hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy. Some studies suggest an increased risk of leukemia and lymphoma as a result of styrene exposure.

Xylene exposure can cause skin, eye, nose, and throat irritation, as well as coughing, difficulty breathing, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness, and unconsciousness. Long term health impacts include damage to developing babies and liver and kidney damage. “Repeated exposure can negatively impact concentration, memory, vision, and muscle coordination.”

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) include many individual chemicals, some of which we already discussed. As a chemical class, VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, reduced coordination, nausea, liver and kidney damage, central nervous system issues, and potentially cancer.  VOCs are no longer as prevalent, as concern over ozone levels has caused companies to reduce or eliminate them from their products. 

Glycol ethers pose a high risk for reproductive and developmental issues. This chemical is known to cause reproductive toxicity and it may decrease fertility and cause damage to unborn babies. Effects of short term exposure include narcosis, fluid on the lungs, liver damage, kidney damage, eye inflammation, respiratory irritation, headache, and nausea. Long term effects include fatigue, lethargy, nausea, anorexia, tremors, and anemia.

It may seem overwhelming to try to avoid these chemicals, since involuntary exposure is common. However, reducing your voluntary exposure to air fresheners can help prevent negative health effects. There are many alternatives to chemical laden products. Using an air purifier, increasing ventilation, and keeping a clean space can remove unpleasant odors that would normally be covered by air fresheners. If you are looking for a pleasant scent, consider essential oils, which can be diffused or combined with dried herbs and used as potpourri.

Schedule a consultation with Renewed Hope Nutrition to receive a personalized plan to help prevent and heal health conditions.