does anyone else think air fresheners are bad for health?

Question

I am sure they can't be good for you.

I say ban air fresheners and open windows instead! Smoke outside!

If i go somewhere with 'air fresheners' i wonder what smell they have to hide.

I think they should be called air polluters, they don't freshen the air they cover up smells. And give me headaches.

What do people think?

i dont smoke or use air fresheners but someone here does, what can i say to her to put her off. Last time i told her they are bad, she said they wouldn't sell them and bought more, as though to make a point.

Answer 1

An air freshener is typically sold as a quick fix solution for odor removal. But be careful. There is hardly anything healthy about them.



Many air fresheners can be toxic, cancerogenic, or with totally unclear long term health effects.



Besides, a typical freshener works by masking the odor and paralyzing your nose sensitivity, rather than by removing the odor. The actual odor problem stays. And even if your nose does not sense it, it is still what you are breathing. The bad odor still gets into your blood and poison you.



The best, though not alway the easiest, way of indoor odor removal is to fight the problem closer to its source, rather than to mask the symptoms. Odor in the house, like pain in the body, is a signal that something needs attention. You are always in a better position if you investigate and understand better where the particular odor comes from.



The first choice is to neutralize the odor at its source. There are more simple and natural alternatives to a mass market air freshener to do that. Odors, such as urine, pet, sweat, wine, and so on, can typically be separated into two groups: acid odors and alkaline odors. Acid odors can be neutralized by baking soda, while the alkaline odors are neutralized by vinegar or lemon juice. Baking soda or vinegar are key ingredients of many healthy air fresheners. You can buy such completely natural air fresheners at health food stores.

cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

well if they were a bad thing they would not have been used so widely but since u r having problem with them there might be something in the smell of the freshner that;s bothering u ..some chemical that gives u headache the best thng to do is to avoid that smell and use other freshners..
if u leave ur window open thats actually worse as u r actually inhaling smoke into ur lungs which can act as a killer

Answer 3

I think the issue is the environment. The damage to health i'm sure is minimal unless you stay in your house all day every day with the turbo boost frish fresh on full whack. Collectively, air freshners can't be good for the envirnoment. I wonder do they attract bees or flies? Who knows. Scented candles are probably the most damaging. They burn the air and replace it with the fumes of scent disguised wax and wick smoke. I want to start a protest against all ye women and yer scented candles ARGH!!

Answer 4

I agree, they are nasty things. If I absolutely have to use one I will use one of those odour neutraliser thingys, like oust, but that is just for my bathroom really.

Someone in work bought some air fresheners to put on our desks and it brought me out in a rash!

Yes, an open window is most definitely a better plan.

Answer 5

They are very bad for you cause when you spray you inhale some of it and it contains lots of chemicals that are very bad for you, I smoke(bad me) and I use a burner with scented oil and also open windows and doors weather permitting, I also have a dog, my house never smells of smoke or a dog smell, I use the burner maybe every 3 days. Some have even said how surprising for it not to smell of smoke.

Answer 6

I agree air fresheners suck, but oder elminaters are pretty cool if they are unsented.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Definately bad for you. they trigger off hay-fever with me and my friend's daughter can't go into a house with them - she's asthmatic. I use natural herbs and aromatherapy oils

Answer 9

I don't like them if they are very strong as they hurt my eyes and make them water and make my nose burn ewww!!!

Answer 10

yes because of its chemicals.