A 2017 article published this statement:
More than 90 percent of the world’s population lives in a place where the outdoor air quality is harmful to human health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
This is a pretty astonishing statement in itself. Yet, The World Health Organization states the inside air quality of our homes and businesses is even 5 times more polluted than the outdoor air we breathe.
Air Fresheners:
During the 1990s, air fresheners became extremely popular with the hassle-free and affordable “plug-ins”. How convenient to just allow the scented gels to release their fragrance throughout the day....no longer needing to grab that aerosol spray “as the need arose”. They seemed to be the perfect alternative to the aerosol sprays that were damaging the ozone layer.
With these “convenient” plug-in air fresheners, however, come an astonishing number of toxic compounds. These contribute to that poor inside air quality and second-hand smoke effect.
Besides the fragrance with its unknown hundreds of toxic ingredients, plug-ins and other air fresheners have also been found to contain phthalates, naphthalene and .... are you ready for this......formaldehyde!!
These are known carcinogens and hormone-disruptors that can affect our reproductive and respiratory systems. Besides birth defects they can also contribute to asthma, frequent nosebleeds and allergic symptoms.
As if all of this was not enough, plug-in air fresheners also contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs)…...of which formaldehyde is one of the worst. VOCs are known irritants of eyes, nose and throat, can damage the liver, kidney and central nervous system, as well as, cause headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.
Scented Candles:
Don’t you just love the ambiance of lighted candles in a room? They can certainly set the mood.
Unfortunately, those very same candles pose a threat to our air quality.
> Most are made from paraffin, which is a petroleum waste.
> Burning candles create soot. Soot contains tiny particulate matter that can be inhaled and is an irritant.
> There are toxins in the synthetic fragrance!
Children and Animals:
On an average it takes only 2 seconds for a smell to reach the brain.
Children and pets breathe the same air we do, however, keep in mind their bodies are smaller and their metabolisms are different. If we are breathing in toxins .... so are they. In actuality, the FDA has zero safety protocols for children’s products.
“According to the World Health Organization, half of deaths among children under 5 years old related to lower respiratory infections can be directly linked to 'particulate matter' present in indoor air pollution".
For those who have pets (or other sources of household odor), the use of air fresheners may feel essential— but this doesn’t mean your only option is to purchase the toxic varieties.
You do have freedom to choose which means you can have freedom from toxins. If weather permits, open windows and bring in the fresh air.
Another option is using an essential oil diffuser. We like this one. Your house will smell great but without all those toxins.
Have you had an experience with air fresheners or scented candles? I would love to hear it!
Love this info? You'll LOVE my guide to removing triggers! Check it out here.
More than 90 percent of the world’s population lives in a place where the outdoor air quality is harmful to human health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
This is a pretty astonishing statement in itself. Yet, The World Health Organization states the inside air quality of our homes and businesses is even 5 times more polluted than the outdoor air we breathe.
Air Fresheners:
During the 1990s, air fresheners became extremely popular with the hassle-free and affordable “plug-ins”. How convenient to just allow the scented gels to release their fragrance throughout the day....no longer needing to grab that aerosol spray “as the need arose”. They seemed to be the perfect alternative to the aerosol sprays that were damaging the ozone layer.
With these “convenient” plug-in air fresheners, however, come an astonishing number of toxic compounds. These contribute to that poor inside air quality and second-hand smoke effect.
Besides the fragrance with its unknown hundreds of toxic ingredients, plug-ins and other air fresheners have also been found to contain phthalates, naphthalene and .... are you ready for this......formaldehyde!!
These are known carcinogens and hormone-disruptors that can affect our reproductive and respiratory systems. Besides birth defects they can also contribute to asthma, frequent nosebleeds and allergic symptoms.
As if all of this was not enough, plug-in air fresheners also contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs)…...of which formaldehyde is one of the worst. VOCs are known irritants of eyes, nose and throat, can damage the liver, kidney and central nervous system, as well as, cause headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.
Scented Candles:
Don’t you just love the ambiance of lighted candles in a room? They can certainly set the mood.
Unfortunately, those very same candles pose a threat to our air quality.
> Most are made from paraffin, which is a petroleum waste.
> Burning candles create soot. Soot contains tiny particulate matter that can be inhaled and is an irritant.
> There are toxins in the synthetic fragrance!
Children and Animals:
On an average it takes only 2 seconds for a smell to reach the brain.
Children and pets breathe the same air we do, however, keep in mind their bodies are smaller and their metabolisms are different. If we are breathing in toxins .... so are they. In actuality, the FDA has zero safety protocols for children’s products.
“According to the World Health Organization, half of deaths among children under 5 years old related to lower respiratory infections can be directly linked to 'particulate matter' present in indoor air pollution".
For those who have pets (or other sources of household odor), the use of air fresheners may feel essential— but this doesn’t mean your only option is to purchase the toxic varieties.
You do have freedom to choose which means you can have freedom from toxins. If weather permits, open windows and bring in the fresh air.
Another option is using an essential oil diffuser. We like this one. Your house will smell great but without all those toxins.
Have you had an experience with air fresheners or scented candles? I would love to hear it!
Love this info? You'll LOVE my guide to removing triggers! Check it out here.
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