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Health Effects of Air Fresheners

Many households today use air fresheners that can make a room smell wonderful with a few simple sprays. These products, though, also introduce chemicals into the air, which has some people concerned about possible health effects.

  1. Phthalates

    • Concerns about the negative health effects of air fresheners center on the phthalates (pronounced "THAL-ates") used in them. Phthalates are what carry the pleasant aroma of an air freshener.

    Bans

    • The Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental watchdog, considers phthalates unsafe, but as of 2009 they were still unregulated in air fresheners in the U.S., according to the President of the Natural Resources Defense Council, Frances Beinecke, in the Huffington Post. By contrast, the European Union has instituted a complete ban on phthalates in air fresheners.

    Possible Effects

    • Studies have shown that phthalates are a likely carcinogenic compound, may impair body growth, and are linked to sexual dysfunction and infertility, especially in very young children.

    The Future

    • Major producers of air freshener, such as SC Johnson, will completely remove phthalates from their products in the next few years over health concerns of the potentially hazardous chemical, according to Frances Beinecke.

    Prevention/Solution

    • The NRDC suggests homeowners control odors and avoid the possible negative health effects of air fresheners by frequently cleaning their homes and opening windows when possible. If you must use an air freshener with phthalates, it is recommended to use one with the lowest possible concentration.

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