Air Fresheners: Something Rotten in the Air?

In recent years, sales of air fresheners—especially plug-in air fresheners—have soared. But while sales are up, so are complaints from people who are exposed to the scents at home, at work, in public places, and in the homes of family and friends.

Not-So-Pleasant Scents

Curiosity about anecdotal reports of negative responses to synthetic scents prompted University of Washington professor Anne Steinemann to conduct two epidemiological studies about air fresheners. Each time, she asked more than 1,000 people if they suffered from any adverse health effects, such as respiratory problems and headaches, after breathing in air fresheners.

The results were striking: In the first study, more than 17 percent of the general population and 29 percent of asthmatics said they experienced health problems following exposure to an air freshener. In the second study, reports of problems were 20 percent and 37 percent respectively. ...more