Millions of homes have air fresheners -- mine included, until I started looking into the issue further. Sure, they make your home smell pretty, but how much do you know about air fresheners?

If your answer is 'no much', I suggest you educate yourself by checking out this slideshow from our friends over at AOL Body. The down-low: Most air fresheners contain chemicals called phthalates (pronounced thal-ates), which have been linked to birth defects and hormonal imbalances. And citrus and pine scents usually contain terpenes, which are not toxic on their own but can produce toxic compounds when they interact with other elements.

This is scary stuff, but stuff you need to know. So go on, educate yourself. And in the meantime, freshen your house with natural scents like fresh air, fresh flowers and fresh baking.

Source

When you spray that chemical air freshener in the air, do you take a deep breath of that clean, fresh smell? According to a post I recently read over at Green Daily, you're probably breathing in a lungful of dangerous chemicals as well. When the National Resources Defense Council tested 14 brands of air fresheners for chemicals called phthalates, 12 of the 14 came up positive. Phthalates may negatively affect hormones and reproductive development.

Don't think that just because it's on the grocery store shelf that it's safe. The FDA doesn't currently test air fresheners for safety. Instead of spraying chemicals throughout your home, try ventilating your house first, try to eliminate the source of the smell. Does anyone have a good recipe for a natural air freshener that doesn't harm indoor air quality?

Source

Air fresheners are big business these days -- in my grocery store almost a half of an aisle is devoted to all the different styles and scents of air fresheners and air sanitizers. But how healthy are they?

Last week the National Resources Defense council released a study that shows that most air fresheners (12 out of the 14 they tested) contain controversial chemicals called phthalates. Phthalates have been linked to health issues such as cancer, developmental abnormalities, and fertility. And although the U.S. doesn't regulate phthalates some other countries do, which is a little disconcerting.

Even if there isn't any "proof" that phthalates are dangerous, I for one will be making an effort to use one of those 2 brands that tested negative for them: Febreze Air Effects Air Refresher and Renuzit Subtle Effects.

Source

Do you use air fresheners in your home? If so, some of the chemicals used in those products may not be all that good for you, no matter how they make the air smell (generally with an artificial scent).

Sure, there are "natural" air fresheners that are much better for that "clean" scent (in my opinion), but those artificial air freshener chemicals may actually make the air less breathable to you.

If you've ever had a headache, irritated eyes and nose and other allergic reactions after using a mainstream air freshener, you may reacting to the chemicals inside them. Just something to think about here. A better solution like a HEPA filter may be a better choice.

Source