Despite the
fact that they are a fairly new development, the home air freshener industry
has grown exponentially in the last decade and now represents a billion dollar
industry in the United States alone.
Whether it is a plug in scented freshener, a can of freshening spray or
a scented candle, millions of homes use an air freshener on a regular basis for
a wide variety of reasons. But is an air
freshener right for your home?
When you
smell an unpleasant odor, you may be tempted to grab a can of the nearest air
freshener so that you can stop smelling the offending odor immediately. However, many spray air fresheners contain
powerful chemicals that have been found to be harmful in many studies. Most of these studies revolve around the
chemicals known as phthalates which are used to dissolve offensive scents. Though there are laws governing the use of
these powerful chemicals, which have been found to cause reproductive problems
in infants, in the US, the EU and Australia, there are not completely illegal
and can still be found in air fresheners.
The perfumes
and scents used in air fresheners and scented candles can also wreak havoc on
the respiratory system of those with allergies or asthma, including small
children. Scented candles that are not
made from organic or soy wax have also been found to emit harmful fumes when
burned.
Of course,
none of this changes the fact that sometimes things smell bad and you would
rather not have bad smells in your home.
Instead of air fresheners, you may want to consider an air filter. An air filter does not just cover up a scent
like many of the sprays, but it actually filters out the offending particles
and leaves air fresher and healthier to breath.
You may also
want to consider shopping around for organically made soy candles. They can provide just as much of a delightful
scent as typically mass produced candles, but without the harmful toxins being
emitted when they are burned.
The scent and
freshening of your home is a personal matter and of course you want to maintain
a clean and comfortable environment.
However, when it comes to air fresheners, you and your family deserve to
have all the information necessary to make an informed decisions before using
them or continuing to use them in your home.
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