AIR FRESHENERS OR AIR POLLUTANTS?

All of us buy the regular “Room Freshener”  sprays we get in most shops, but do you know what kind of impact they have on you?

Aerosol products have been used for generations, but in recent decades we’ve come to recognize that they can be dangerous to the environment as a whole and to children in particular. Still, many people will make use of them without giving it a second thought. Often, you’ll encounter automatic air fresheners in homes that spray out air freshener into the room on an hourly basis. This is just one of the many ways aerosol products are woven into our lives. 

There’s no denying it, aerosol air fresheners are actually increasing (rather than reducing) air pollution inside homes and buildings. The chemicals used to create this aerosol effect are often not environmentally friendly. Even the EPA – the Environmental Protection Agency – has publicly acknowledged this.

BUT WHAT’S THE HARM?

Aerosol Air fresheners contain propellants and chemicals, contributing to indoor and outdoor air pollution, through the release of VOC- volatile organic Compounds.

Aerosols can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, and the synthetic fragrances they contain might trigger allergies and irritations.

Many aerosol sprays contain highly toxic chemicals like xylene and formaldehyde – yes the same chemical used to preserve anatomical specimens in a jar.

These toxic ingredients also include neurotoxins and carcinogens that are extremely hazardous for adults, children and family pets. This chemical combination is being sprayed out of many aerosol cans and represents a genuine risk to the environment and to our health. Air fresheners and even hairspray in particular can spray out formaldehyde and other VOCs (volatile organic compounds) throughout the air in a home or building and onto surfaces in that space.

IMPACT OF AEROSOL ON THE ENVIRONMENT

ven more concerning is the way that aerosol – which are essentially small particles in suspension in a gas – are impacting our environment. According to Chien Wang, a respected researcher in atmospheric science, MIT’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences has demonstrated that aerosols may actually be altering rainfall patterns!

A new study by the University of York and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science reveals that the picture is damaging globally with the world’s population now using huge numbers of disposable aerosols – more than 25 billion cans per year.

In the presence of sunlight, VOCs combine with a second pollutant, nitrogen oxides, to cause photochemical smog which is harmful to human health and damages crops and plants.

Researchers found that on average in high-income countries 10 cans of aerosol are used per person per year with the largest contributor being personal care products. The global amount emitted from aerosols every year is surging as lower and middle-income economies grow and people in these countries buy more.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Minimize gradually and if possible cut down the use of pressurized canisters, ranging from deodorants, room freshers and even hair sprays!

Switch to non-aerosol alternatives for better health. 

WHAT ARE BETTER ALTERNATIVES?

1. Use non-pressurized Room fresheners
2. Use Essential oils with natural diffusorslike reed or humidifiers, they will have the least impact
3. Get Fresh airinstead if you can, open a window!
4. Get aromatic flowers, there are subscription based systems that you can utilize!

To get you started you can even try our range of essential oils to upgrade your environment and make it healthier for you, your family and pets!

Some References and News Articles:

• The hazards of using Aerosols and how they impact our environment- Times of India, Jun 2022
• The Dangers of Aerosol Products and How to Stay Safe When Using Them
• Household aerosols now release more harmful smog chemicals than all vehicles in the country– University of York, UK

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