Are Air Fresheners Bad for Your Health?

Whether it's at home, in the office, or inside the car, many of us use air fresheners, deodorizers, and scented candles to make a space smell cleaner and more pleasant. But are the chemicals in these products safe, especially if you have allergies or asthma?

For some people, they can be a problem. The American Lung Association says fragranced products can contribute to indoor air pollution and cause health problems, and that people with asthma, COPD, allergies, migraines, or chemical sensitivities are more likely to be affected.

Here is what the research shows, what "natural" labels can and cannot tell you, and what to do instead.

How Can Air Fresheners Affect Allergies and Asthma?

In 2011, Dr. Stanley Fineman, an allergist with Emory University and the Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic, raised the issue with fellow allergists at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology's annual meeting. He said the chemicals in some of these products can trigger nasal congestion, sneezing, and a runny nose. For people with asthma, he said, there is good data showing that lung function changes when they are exposed to these compounds. Read the NBC News coverage.

The problem is not limited to a few people. In a 2009 survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults, about 19% reported breathing difficulties, headaches, or other health problems when exposed to air fresheners, and the rates were higher among people with asthma.

It can also be confusing, because these reactions are often not classic allergies. Fineman noted that there is no allergy skin test for air fresheners, but people can still have a real physical response to them.

What Chemicals Are in Air Fresheners?

Fragrances are mixtures that can contain hundreds of chemicals, and many of them are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that evaporate into the air at room temperature. In a University of Washington study of 25 popular scented products, including air fresheners, researchers detected 133 different VOCs, and some are classified as toxic or hazardous under federal law.

Allergists list formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, limonene, esters, and alcohols among the VOCs commonly found in air fresheners. Limonene, a citrus scent, can react with ozone in the air to form secondary pollutants, including formaldehyde. NRDC has also noted that air fresheners may contain cancer-causing chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde.

Breathing VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and difficulty breathing, and they may worsen symptoms in people with asthma and COPD. According to the American Lung Association, long-term exposure to some VOCs can damage the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system, and some VOCs are linked to cancer.

Important note: Health effects depend on which chemicals are involved, how much you breathe in, and for how long. Most of the research on scented products documents irritation and asthma symptoms. If you notice symptoms around a scented product, talk to your healthcare provider.

Are "Natural" Air Fresheners Safer?

You may be thinking about switching to a product labeled "natural." Unfortunately, the label does not settle the question. In the University of Washington study, products advertised as green, natural, or organic emitted as many hazardous chemicals as standard ones. Dr. Fineman has said much the same: products marketed as "all-natural," and even unscented ones, can emit hazardous chemicals.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found something similar in 2007, when it tested 14 air fresheners. Twelve contained phthalates, hormone-disrupting chemicals that are of particular concern for young children and unborn babies. That included products marketed as "all-natural" or "unscented," and none listed phthalates on the label. NRDC also stressed that there was no cause for panic, because the greatest risk comes from long-term, repeated exposure, and it tested only one sample of each product.

Labels rarely tell the whole story, because manufacturers are not required to list every fragrance ingredient. It is still a good idea to ask a manufacturer what is in a product before you buy it, but the most reliable way to avoid fragrance chemicals is to choose fragrance-free products.

What Can I Do Instead?

Instead of trying to hide troublesome odors, find the source and get rid of it. The American Lung Association recommends removing odor sources through regular cleaning instead of masking odors with fragrances. A few steps that help:

• Find and remove the source. Take out the trash, wash pet bedding, clean up spills and accidents, and check for damp spots that could mean mold.
• Bring in fresh air. Open windows and doors, or run an exhaust fan, especially when you are cleaning or using scented products.
• Choose fragrance-free products. That includes cleaners, laundry products, and personal care items, as well as air fresheners, scented candles, and incense.
• Try odor neutralizers that do not add a scent. Our odor control products are designed to neutralize odors at their source instead of covering them up.
• Add carbon if you need it. A HEPA filter catches particles, not gases. For odors and chemicals, look for an air cleaner with an activated carbon bed. Our air cleaner guide explains how to choose one.

The Bottom Line

Air fresheners cover up odors rather than eliminate them, and they add chemicals to the air you breathe. If you have allergies, asthma, or chemical sensitivities, the safest approach is to skip the fragrance, find the source of the odor, and ventilate.

Additional reading

• What Is the Best Air Cleaner? | Depends on What Your Needs Are.

Sources
American Lung Association. Fragrances.
American Lung Association. Volatile Organic Compounds.
Potera C. (2011). Indoor Air Quality: Scented Products Emit a Bouquet of VOCs. Environmental Health Perspectives 119(1): A16.
Natural Resources Defense Council (2007). New Study: Common Air Fresheners Contain Chemicals That May Affect Human Reproductive Development.
HealthDay (2011). Air Fresheners, Scented Candles May Spur Allergic Reactions.
MyHealthNewsDaily (2011). Air Fresheners Can Trigger Allergies, Asthma. NBC News.
NASA. Volatile Organic Compounds Emitted from Air Fresheners.

Medical disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding allergies, asthma, or other medical conditions.

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