Protect Your Family from the Hidden Hazards in Air Fresheners
Air fresheners have become a staple in many European homes and offices, marketed with the promise of creating a clean, healthy, and sweet-smelling indoor atmosphere. But many of these products contain phthalates (pronounced thal-ates)—hazardous chemicals known to cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects, and reproductive problems. Independent testing of 14 common air fresheners, none of which listed phthalates as an ingredient, uncovered these chemicals in 86 percent (12 of 14) of the products tested, including those advertised as “all natural” or “unscented.”
To protect consumers, government action to conduct more thorough tests and enact basic measures to limit exposure to phthalates is urgently needed. Until consumers are given the information they need to make informed decisions about whether to use these products, it is best to avoid using air fresheners—especially in places where there are children or pregnant women.
Phthalates are known to interfere with production of the male hormone, testosterone, and have been associated with reproductive abnormalities. Numerous animal studies have linked prenatal exposure to certain phthalates with decreases in testosterone, malformations of the genitalia, and reduced sperm production. It has been found that five types of phthalates—including one that we found in air freshener products—are “known to cause birth defects or reproductive harm.” Phthalate exposure in indoor environments has also been associated with allergic symptoms and asthma.
Phthalates: Health Hazards in Many Forms
Phthalates are used in many common consumer products—to soften plastics in children’s toys, as sealants and adhesives in nail polish, and in perfumes and air fresheners. When people use air fresheners, the phthalates are released into the air where they may be inhaled or may land on the skin and be absorbed. Once these chemicals enter the bloodstream, they can alter hormone levels and cause other health problems.
Improving Your Home’s Air Quality and Safety
Air fresheners are not a solution for poor air quality and cannot substitute for good ventilation. The best solution is to open windows to bring in fresh air or to use fans to maintain air circulation.
| Phthalate Level in Air Fresheners Tested | ||
| Brand Level of Toxic Phthalates Found | Phthalates Found | |
| Air Wick Scented Oil | 0.75 ppm DBP; 6.3 ppm DEP; 1.6 ppm DIBP; 2.1 ppm DIHP | |
| Citrus Magic | 0.25 ppm DBT | |
| Febreze Air Effects Air Refresher | 0 | |
| Febreze NOTICEables Scented Oil | 0.19 ppm DBP; 1.5 ppm DIBP | |
| Glade Air Infusions | 1.5 ppm DEP | |
| Glade PlugIn Scented Oil | 4.5 ppm DBP | |
| Lysol Brand II Disinfectant | 0.12 ppm DBP; 0.49 ppm DEP | |
| Oust Air Sanitizer Spray | 5.7 ppm DEP | |
| Oust Fan Liquid Refills | 0.78 ppm DEP; 0.24 ppm DIBP | |
| Ozium Glycol-ized Air Sanitizer | 360 ppm DEP; 0.15 ppm DMP | |
| Renuzit Subtle Effects | 0 | |
| Walgreens Air Freshener Spray | 1,100 ppm of DEP | |
| Walgreens Scented Bouquet Air Freshener
Walgreens now own Boot’s the Chemists |
7,300 ppm of DEP; 0.47 ppm of DBP; 6.5 ppm DMP
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