The Dangers of Toxic Air Fresheners
Spend some time watching American television and you will most likely see a regularly aired commercial for air fresheners.
America seems to love them.
We fill our homes, schools and workplaces with these sprays unaware of what they're made of.
While most companies claim to eliminate the odors, they do it at the price of emitting harmful chemicals into the air.
And these chemicals are more harmful than you might think.
The ingredients chosen make these sprays disperse quickly--and consequently our bodies also quickly absorb these chemicals through our skin and lungs.
Because they're used in enclosed places, we heighten our risks when exposed to them.
One of these chemicals is phthalates-what seems to be the most harmful chemical in these products.
A study released by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) reviewed 14 air fresheners from the shelf of a common American drug store.
They found that 12 out of the 14 products contained phthalates and none of them listed phthalates on their labels.
Surprisingly the government does not regulate these products and companies are not required to provide a complete list of ingredients.
Phthalates have been found to be hormone-disrupting chemicals that can cause reproductive abnormalities and unhealthy changes in hormone level.
This is especially dangerous for unborn babies and children.
Five particular types of phthalates, one of which is detected in air fresheners, are linked to birth defects.
Phthalates are also known to hinder brain development and cause cognitive abnormalities such as autism.
Many aerosol versions also contain formaldehyde.
As one of the most common indoor pollutants, studies show that formaldehyde causes the onset of asthma, particularly in children, and reproductive problems for women.
Another chemical commonly found is naphthalene.
Exposure to this chemical can destroy red blood cells and children are at the highest risk of being affected.
Aside from these harmful chemicals, some air fresheners contain other toxic ingredients that cause eye and respiratory irritation.
The dangers of toxic air fresheners aren't always obvious, and without thorough ingredient lists we just don't know what chemicals we are exposing ourselves to.
Now's the time to make the switch to a natural air freshener spray or revert back grandma's homemade cleaning remedies.
Your family and the environment will thank you.
America seems to love them.
We fill our homes, schools and workplaces with these sprays unaware of what they're made of.
While most companies claim to eliminate the odors, they do it at the price of emitting harmful chemicals into the air.
And these chemicals are more harmful than you might think.
The ingredients chosen make these sprays disperse quickly--and consequently our bodies also quickly absorb these chemicals through our skin and lungs.
Because they're used in enclosed places, we heighten our risks when exposed to them.
One of these chemicals is phthalates-what seems to be the most harmful chemical in these products.
A study released by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) reviewed 14 air fresheners from the shelf of a common American drug store.
They found that 12 out of the 14 products contained phthalates and none of them listed phthalates on their labels.
Surprisingly the government does not regulate these products and companies are not required to provide a complete list of ingredients.
Phthalates have been found to be hormone-disrupting chemicals that can cause reproductive abnormalities and unhealthy changes in hormone level.
This is especially dangerous for unborn babies and children.
Five particular types of phthalates, one of which is detected in air fresheners, are linked to birth defects.
Phthalates are also known to hinder brain development and cause cognitive abnormalities such as autism.
Many aerosol versions also contain formaldehyde.
As one of the most common indoor pollutants, studies show that formaldehyde causes the onset of asthma, particularly in children, and reproductive problems for women.
Another chemical commonly found is naphthalene.
Exposure to this chemical can destroy red blood cells and children are at the highest risk of being affected.
Aside from these harmful chemicals, some air fresheners contain other toxic ingredients that cause eye and respiratory irritation.
The dangers of toxic air fresheners aren't always obvious, and without thorough ingredient lists we just don't know what chemicals we are exposing ourselves to.
Now's the time to make the switch to a natural air freshener spray or revert back grandma's homemade cleaning remedies.
Your family and the environment will thank you.