– by Joe Schwarcz PhD

“Scented and fragranced products are prohibited at all times in all interior space owned, rented or leased by CDC, including incense, candles, electric fragrance-emitting devices, air fresheners and urinal blocks.”  A policy institued by  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in all its buildings in 2009.

– There’s solid evidence that scents from cleaning supplies, beauty products, and air fresheners can lead to issues like headaches, stomach problems, skin rashes, and asthma attacks.

– Around 20% of people and 30% of those with asthma say they feel some effects, with many even avoiding public restrooms due to the strong scents from cleaning products.

– It’s interesting to note that sensitivity to these fragrances can grow with repeated exposure, meaning someone who never had a reaction before might eventually develop an intolerance as their immune system reacts.

– It is difficult to identify the specific toxic chemical given the complex components in fragrances, often over a hundred.

– Some ingredients come from plants, while others are made in laboratories, but both can cause irritation or allergic responses.

– Labels like “green,” “organic,” “non-toxic,” and “natural” on air fresheners can be misleading.

– The most effective method to remove odors is to chemically break down molecules that cuase smells.

More information can be found from the original article below

A Breath of Fresh Air? Hardly. | Office for Science and Society – McGill University