AIR POLLUTERS - Air Freshners & Deodorizers

Fragrances in Air Fresheners and Deodorizers Pamela Lundquist Wednesday, July 04, 2007 http://healthychild.org/resources/article/fragrances_in_air_fresheners_and_deodorizers Given all the chemicals in most commercial air fresheners, they should be called air polluters. Luckily, there are healthier ways of keeping your home smelling fresh -- like nothing at all, that is. To perfume the air or cover up unpleasant odors, many people resort to air fresheners and deodorizers. Most air fresheners don't actually eliminate the source of the odor--they simply mask the bad smell with fragrance. Like other fragrance products, air fresheners are created with any of over 3000 synthetic chemical ingredients. Manufacturers are not required to list ingredients on the label, using instead the generic term "fragrance." (See Fragrances: What Your Nose Needs to Know for more on regulatory issues regarding fragrances.) Deodorizers, on the other hand, may contain fragrance, but they usually also include ingredients that absorb odors, such as baking soda. They may also contain chemicals to kill bacteria or molds that cause bad odors. Antimicrobial ingredients such as these, considered pesticides by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, are usually overkill--most odor-causing bacteria can be washed away with soap and water. (See Antibacterials and Disinfectants: Are They Necessary?) Air fresheners and deodorizers that come in aerosol form frequently contain petrochemical propellants such as butane, isobutane and propane--all of which are neurotoxic at high concentrations. The tiny droplets that are released into the air when you spray an aerosol don't just disappear. Though you can't really see them, they are easily inhaled into the lungs, where they can irritate airways, especially among children and asthmatics. They are also highly flammable. These propellants, along with the fragrance chemicals in air fresheners and deodorizers can irritate the skin, eyes or airways. For example, ethyl alcohol is a mild eye, skin and respiratory tract irritant. Limonene is an irritant and sensitizer, which means that repeated exposure can result in an allergy to the substance. Camphor, common in solid air fresheners, is another irritant capable of causing headaches, shortness of breath, weakness and central nervous system depression. A particularly nasty ingredient in air deodorants, paradichlorobenzene (a pesticide also used in moth balls) is an eye irritant and, according to the National Toxicology Program (NTP), possibly causes reproductive effects and cancer. Though one blast of an air freshener is unlikely to cause harm, multiple fragrances and frequent use can make indoor air quite polluted, especially if your home is poorly ventilated. Even when the chemicals have fallen out of your breathing space, they land on the floor, carpeting, or furniture, leaving residues. When children play on the carpet, for example, they may ingest the fragrance chemicals by touching the rug and then putting their hands into their mouths. Carpeting also tends to act like a "sink," where indoor air pollutants can collect. Adding potentially hazardous chemicals from fragrances to the mix may result in unexpected combinations with unknown toxicity. Considering all the chemicals in air fresheners, they might better be called air polluters! And using an air freshener to mask smells doesn’t solve the underlying problem. If it turns out you're simply covering up a mold problem, even worse indoor air can result if the mold continues to grow. The best way to rid your house of odors is to keep it clean, moisture-free and well ventilated. These are the basic steps to Healthier Indoor Air , in general. And if an odor just won't dissipate, try a natural deodorizer, such as baking soda, zeolite, or white vinegar. Related Articles Fragrance in Perfumes and Cosmetics Fragrances in Cleaning Products, Fabric Softeners and Laundry Detergents Fragrances in Candles, Incense and Potpourri Related Checklist Freshen Indoor Air Naturally Let's make our home a safe environment!