If you can smell your air freshener, you might have a problem

By A mudalat Ajasa

The Washington Post

AIR FRESHENERS mask unpleasant odors with vibrant scents, but they come with foul risks for human health. Whether it’s an aerosol bottle, plug-in, oil, scented candle or gel, if a product promises to clear smells, chances are it harbors toxins that pollute indoor air quality. That’s because many air fresheners rely on chemicals to generate fragrances and make them linger in the air.

“To a chemist ‘really clean’ would actually be no scent because the scent is caused by a chemical,” said Ryan Sullivan, an associate professor of chemistry and mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. “Truly clean means very low levels of chemicals.”

Air fresheners are among a broader category of everyday products scientists say are laden with chemicals that have the potential to cause hormonal disruptions and respiratory issues. In many cases, consumers who use air fresheners have no way of knowing what’s in the product, or whether it’s toxic.

“It’s hard for humans to accept that something I bought at the store could actually be harming me and my family or my pets,” said Sullivan, who

To-do list

CONTINUES FROM PAGE F2 artificial flowers with real ones from your garden once they begin blooming.

6. Clean the shower head

Nature provides the outdoor showers, but you might need to put in a little extra effort indoors. If a shower head is sluggish and no longer sprays evenly, it’s probably clogged with mineral deposits. Soak them away with a solution of half-vinegar, half-water. You might even be able to do this without removing the shower head: Tie and tape a plastic bag filled with the solution around the head, and completely immerse the nozzles. Or unscrew has taught environmental chemistry for 11 years. Here’s what to know to protect yourself and your family.

• What chemicals are in air fresheners?

Air fresheners emit over 100 chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes — some of which are associated with different types of cancer in high doses.

These chemicals can react with naturally occurring compounds in the air and form secondary pollutants that worsen indoor air quality. The “main ingredients” to generate air pollution are volatile organic compounds, oxidants and sunlight, Sullivan said. In homes, fluorescent lights, which release ultraviolet light, can act as a replacement for sunlight. Many fragrant molecules react to oxidants, such as those released from gas stoves.

• How do air fresheners affect human health?

The effects of air fresheners will vary depending on the chemicals in the product and who’s smelling them. People with asthma or allergies can be more sensitive to scented products, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Over 75% of air fresheners graded by the Environmental Working Group, a Washing- the shower head and soak it in a container filled with enough of the solution to submerge the nozzles. Vinegar is acidic, and with prolonged contact, it can eat into metallic finishes, so don’t soak the shower head for longer than 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.

7. Inspect the roof

Roof leaks can cause a ton of collateral damage to insulation, ceilings, walls and furnishings. The trick is to identify and fix problems before they lead to leaks - and to recognize ahead of time when you should schedule a roof replacement. Walk around your house with binoculars to check for moss, debris and shingles that are missing or curled. From a ladder, make ton-based nonprofit that focuses on research and advocacy, contain either “likely” or “potentially significant” hazards to health or the environment based on concerns posed by exposure to their ingredients. The group’s assessment also took into account whether makers of the products disclosed the ingredients in them. Exposure to high levels of VOCs can lead to adverse health effects, such as migraine headaches, asthma attacks, breathing difficulties and neurological problems. Short-term exposure can irritate the eyes, throat and nose, as well as cause nausea.

Reactions to air fresheners can get worse over time, according to Claudia Miller, professor emeritus in the department of family and community medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Their chemicals can trigger first responders in the immune system called mast cells, which can cause allergic-like reactions, she says. This can lead to inflammation, illness and a higher chemical intolerance after repeated exposures. Once the cells become sensitized to VOCs, it makes them more susceptible to be triggered by them.

But Sullivan says his main concern are the chronic effects of air fresheners and cleaning sure flashing or rubber boots are intact around the chimney, skylights and vent pipes. And go into the attic to look for stains that point to leaks. If you find problems or aren’t comfortable getting on a ladder, call a roofing company and ask for an inspection, which is usually relatively inexpensive, especially if you don’t need a written report.

If you’re comfortable going up on the roof, you can kill moss by spraying it with a bleach solution or a moss killer; after it dies, let rain wash away the remains. But for most homeowners, a professional moss removal or roof repair is a safer way to go. And there are YouTube videos on how to replace damaged or missing products containing chemicals that can cause cancer or disrupt hormones. Some of these chemicals, such as phthalates, have “toxic effects at low doses and low concentrations because our natural hormone system is designed to respond to low levels of hormones,” he said. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which interfere with the human hormone system, are often part of perfume ingredient lists but they don’t have to be disclosed, Sullivan explained. In a 2007 analysis, independent testing by the Natural Resources Defense Council found phthalates, used to prolong the aroma of fragrances in the air, in 12 of 14 air fresheners it studied — even those labeled “all-natural” and “unscented.”

• Are ‘green’ air fresheners safe?

Air fresheners labeled organic, nontoxic, green or all natural can still emit potentially hazardous chemicals, said Sullivan, who is also associate director of the Institute for Green Science. There is very limited data surrounding the toxicity of different chemicals in everyday products, he added.

In their analysis, researchers from NRDC found that even “’natural’ products can contain toxic chemicals.”

“The regulations in this asphalt shingles. American Home Shield suggests replacing a roof if more than one-third of the shingles are curling.

8. Clean the garbage disposal country around what you can put in cleaning products and certainly in air fresheners are pretty loose,” Sullivan said.

This is not a March-specific task; it’s something you should do every week or two. Take a few minutes this month to make it part of your cleaning routine. With the machine off, scrub the opening with a bottle brush. If the disposal stinks, freeze vinegar in ice cube trays and let the disposal blend them to icy slush. As always, run water the whole time the disposal is on, and use cold water, not hot. Grease melts with hot water, then resolidifies when it cools inside the plumbing, causing clogs.

In the United States, air freshener makers are not required to disclose all the chemicals in their products. An analysis of air fresheners, including ones labeled green and organic, found fewer than 10%of volatile ingredients disclosed on the product label, according to a report in Building and Environment, an international journal.

• What should you do?

The EPA recommends cutting back on the use of products with strong fragrancesespecially in indoor areas with poor ventilation. The agency also suggests minimizing the use of sprays that spread scents throughout an area. Essential oils may be the safest option to add fragrances to indoor spaces, but before using them you should first check what is added to the oil, Sullivan said. A short list of fully disclosed ingredients and minimally processed, naturally sourced oils is key. For dispersion options, Sullivan recommends using a reed diffuser — sticks that soak up oil scents and emit aromas — or a mister-type diffuser that sprays the essential oil in water. Misting essential oils in a spray bottle is also a safe option.

9. Change furnace filters

Yep. Every three months. If you did it in December, it’s time to do it again.