Can air freshener make you sick? 4 instant symptoms you should notice

Air fresheners are a popular and most loved item in every shopping store. They’re an easy way to add a touch of freshness to your space. 

Due to such an increased demand, their health benefits and risks are highly being studied. With all these emerging interests, it’s safe to ask, can air freshener make you sick? 

This post will help you understand the complete truth about air fresheners and their participation in our lives.

Can air freshener make you sick?

They are mainly used in every household, public place, and office. They are a product that is being used by people in many ways. 

There are air freshener sprays, foams, candles, etc. The one thing that each of these products has in common is the scents they release into the air. Each type of air freshener has its own benefits and also risks. Many people don’t realize that these products are toxic to health and pollute the environment [1].

Air fresheners are made of chemicals known to be hazardous and can cause adverse effects on your health.

Some of the chemicals in these products are carcinogenic and could cause pulmonary distress, skin irritation, and nausea [2].

What are the symptoms of allergic reactions found due to air fresheners?

The following are some of the other dangers that you need to be aware of:

1) Many people have reported skin irritation after using air fresheners. This makes it essential to avoid air fresheners if you have sensitive skin or an allergy to fragrances.

2) The fragrances used in the air fresheners have been known to cause allergies in some people, such as irritation in the eyes, airways, and wounds.

3) The chemicals used in making the products can also pose serious health that may transfer to the next generations. They damage DNA and ultimately lead to birth and developmental defects.

4) Air fresheners contain a lot of volatile solvents and metals. Over long-term usage, some of these compounds start dissolving in blood and cause several deadly diseases, i.e., cardiac arrest, and can even cause death in some cases [3]. Hence, it is essential to minimize their usage and direct contact with these air fresheners.

How does an air freshener work?

The air fresheners are sprayed on the air to absorb the odors. The working mechanism will elaborate an air freshener make you sick even under safe limits?

Air fresheners vs. air purifiers

Air fresheners are designed to mask odors, while air purifiers are designed to purify the air entering your living space.

Air purifiers are designed to remove odors using negative ions and ionizing electrons. They also can remove odors that have been absorbed into fabrics and carpets.

The most common air purifiers are HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, germicidal UV light filters, ionization generators, and electrostatic filters. Some air purifiers do have carbon filters that help manage foul odors.

Air fresheners have a variety of types that can be used to mask odors. These include:

• Aerosol sprays
• Citrus scents
• Flowers and plants
• Lavender
• Perfumes and colognes
• Vaporizers (use a vaporizer to make the scent last longer) and air freshener spray.  

These products often contain a combination of volatile oils, artificial fragrances, and synthetic chemicals.

Read more: Does an air purifier help to remove dust? 

Most air fresheners contain alcohols, which evaporate quickly, so they may not last long enough to cover up the odor. 

Some air fresheners also contain ozone generators, which release negative ions that attract dust particles and bacteria into the air.

However, these chemicals can react with other gases in the atmosphere and create ozone gas, which is an irritant to humans and animals. Ozone gas is also toxic for fish and can cause damage to plants.

What Makes an Air Freshener Toxic

The primary ingredients in aerosolized fragrances are volatile organic compounds or VOCs. Many of these VOCs are toxic to humans, and many more have unknown toxicity levels. One common ingredient in air fresheners is formaldehyde, which has been classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). In high concentrations, it can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat; causing headaches, dizziness; and difficulty breathing. Some other VOCs include methylene chloride, benzene, and acetone. What Makes an Air Freshener Safe: So why not use unscented products? That doesn’t guarantee safety, either!

Understanding the Ingredients of an Air Freshener 

The two main ingredients in most air fresheners are benzene and formaldehyde. Benzene is a known carcinogen, and formaldehyde is known to cause cancer in high doses (although it also occurs naturally in some fruits). Many other toxic chemicals exist in these products, such as methyl-tertiary butyl ether, which can lead to dizziness and headaches when inhaled. So think twice if you’re considering buying an air freshener for your home or office! They could be making your health worse.

How to Protect Yourself from Harmful Chemicals in Air Fresheners

When inhaled, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from air fresheners react with other chemicals in the atmosphere to form new substances known as secondary pollutants. These secondary pollutants can cause health problems such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, allergies, and pulmonary disorders. Fortunately, there are several steps that people can take to protect themselves from harmful chemicals in air fresheners 

1) Make your own natural air freshening solution by combining baking soda, water, and essential oils. Please put it in a spray bottle or jar for easy use throughout the day. Your home will smell great without any unwanted side effects! 

2) Open windows when possible to let fresh air in. Or invest in an inexpensive whole-house ventilation system for cleaner indoor air quality all year. 

3) If using store-bought sprays, always follow label directions. Avoid spraying near children, pets, furniture, and electronics. 

4) Turn off the air freshener after 30 minutes so that they don’t continuously emit toxins into the air.

Frequently Asked Questions on the safety of Air Fresheners.

Here we are talking about Frequently Asked Questions on the safety of Air Fresheners.

What are the health risks of using an aerosol spray to kill bacteria, viruses, and odors in my home or office?

The health risks of using an aerosol spray to kill bacteria, viruses, and odors in your home or office are unknown because research has not yet been done on this topic. But, some studies have shown that aerosols can contain chemicals linked to asthma and other lung ailments, so limit your exposure as much as possible and have some plants in your house.

You need to ensure that you clean and sanitize your home regularly, especially during the days of any pandemic. 

Additionally, you can install Air-purifying units to filter pollutants and dust particles from your living spaces. 

can air fresheners make you sick when used excessively in your automobiles? 

The first step is to analyze where is this smell coming from.

Obviously, you will have to maintain cleanliness and safety standards by keeping dust and pollution minimum. 

Air freshener is a solution used to make the car smell good. However, if you use too many of these products, they can make you sick. These products should be used as per the requirements of the manufacturer’s instructions and should never be used excessively.

If you want to put yourself on the safer side, we’ve got a solution for you.  

Here we’ve some natural ingredients that can help:

• Baking soda can be used as a deodorizer.
• Salt will absorb the foul odor and keep it in the car.
• Lemon juice can also be used to get rid of the stinky odor and keep it out of your car.
• You can also use a deodorizer, an aerosol that you can use to remove odors from your home.

How do I help my refrigerator from smelling bad?

If you have a refrigerator with a foul odor coming from it, you need to clean it regularly with a cleaning product free of chemicals. Of course, we can’t let any chemicals contact our food and cause illness. 

If that doesn’t work, you should also try baking soda or lemon juice on your surfaces to get rid of the smell.

How long does it take for the air freshener to work?

It depends on how strong the smell is, but it takes about 30 minutes for an air freshener to work most of the time.

Are all air fresheners created equally?

Some people think that all air fresheners are created equally, but in reality, they are not. There are three main types of air fresheners on the market: aerosol sprays, plug-ins, and solid blocks that can be broken apart and dispersed throughout a room.

Does using an air freshener help with car sickness?

Using an air freshener helps with car sickness because it makes the car smell good, but it doesn’t help with the actual ailment of car sickness. If you want to get off the smell from your car, you need to clean it regularly and ensure no odors are coming from your car’s interior.

Does my baby breathe in toxins from an air freshener?  

If your baby is at the age of 3 months or below, they will not detect the fragrances around them. If you are using an air freshener in your baby’s nursery, then you should make sure that the product is odorless, contains fewer or safe chemicals, and that you keep the room ventilated.

What happens if a baby puts a plug-in air freshener in the mouth?

If you notice that your baby has put an air freshener in his or her mouth, you should remove the plug and follow the care instructions immediately.

Try washing their hands with warm water and soap to remove any remaining chemicals.

If your child inhales an odorous substance, they are likely to get a sore throat and cough.

See a doctor for further treatment if there are signs of chemical burns or irritation on your child’s skin.

How can I keep my car smelling good with or without an air freshener?

If you think that your car interior smells terrible, you should take it to a professional to clean it professionally. You can also try some of the tips below:

• Change your car’s air filter every 3 months or so.
• Wash your car regularly with a mild detergent and water. (Ensure that you dry the car thoroughly after washing so that there is no moisture in the interior).
• Cleanse your car by airing it out regularly and wiping down with a microfiber cloth. Ensure that you always wipe down the dashboard, steering wheel, and other areas of your vehicle where there is dirt or dust build-up.
• If possible, do not use any type of air fresheners in your vehicle because they will just mask odors instead of removing them. Don’t forget to ensure that you are not using any products in your vehicle’s air conditioning system, such as deodorants.
• If you are driving inside a city or town where there are lots of other cars, you will probably notice that the inside of your car smells bad. To avoid this situation, you should avoid being parked next to another inadequately ventilated vehicle. 
• Wash and vacuum your car regularly, especially if you live in an area where many dust particles or dirt particles are in the air.

Do I need to wash my hands after using an air freshener?

Yes, you should probably wash your hands after using an air freshener. These products contain fragrances that can cause skin irritation and damage if they get onto your hands and then find their way to your eyes or mouth.

Ensure that any products you use inside your home are washed before touching them again.

Can air fresheners make you sick and how we can avoid inhaling too much of them?

You must avoid using air fresheners as much as possible. The best thing, to begin with, could be the use of natural alternatives for your home. You can also use a good air freshener that does not contain harsh chemicals or toxins in them.

You can also make your own air fresheners at home, and this will be an excellent way for you to stay away from the toxins used in these products.

If you are suffering from any of the problems mentioned earlier, it is better to avoid using air fresheners completely; because they are known to cause serious health issues in some cases. You will also maintain good health if you avoid these products altogether.

How can plug-in air fresheners make you sick?

When it comes to plug-in air fresheners, you need to know how they work. These air fresheners contain many chemicals that can harm your health if you inhale more than the permissible limits. You must avoid breathing the fumes from these products by not bringing them near your nose or mouth.

You also need to be careful when these products are plugged in, as some of them are vulnerable to causing a lot of harm if not handled appropriately.

When you plug these air fresheners in, you need to ensure they are unplugged before using them again. You need to also be very careful with the air fresheners that contain phthalates and other toxins in them.

How much does air freshener affect your asthma?

Air fresheners can make it hard for people with asthma to breathe because they contain many chemicals that make breathing difficult. These chemicals can irritate your lungs and make you feel like difficulty breathing.

These chemicals can also cause your lungs to swell, making it hard for you to breathe. This happens because these chemicals are known to cause irritation in your lungs. This can make it difficult to breathe, and you might have trouble breathing at times.

Even if you have apparent asthma symptoms, it is still essential that you avoid using air fresheners as much as possible because they can cause serious health problems in some cases and make your asthma worse in others.

Read more: The relationship between air fresheners and breathing disorders.

The bottom line

We’re sure these facts will pop up in your mind every time you an air freshener in your favorite store. Now, you know how can air fresheners make you sick and what preventive measures you should follow.

We’ve checked and compared the claims of air fresheners with the facts supported by reliable sources. We hope you’ll find them helpful.