Why is air freshener dangerous and harmful?

Everyone wants pleasant aromas to reign in their home. This can be easily achieved by using an air freshener, which can be purchased very inexpensively at any hardware store. It’s a pity that few people know how dangerous this artificial odor generator is. Industrial air fresheners contain dangerous volatile substances that can undermine human health.

What does an air freshener consist of?

Today, manufacturers of household chemicals produce many different fresheners and fragrances, the purpose of which is to mask bad odors and create a pleasant atmosphere in the room. These products are made in the form of aerosols, gels, liquids or sticks. Some formulations emit a pleasant odor when heated, others simply smell until the supply of aromatic substances is depleted.

However, all chemical air fresheners, without exception, are capable of harming human health to one degree or another, since they contain hazardous substances.

Here are the main ingredients present in air purifiers:

• Ethanol - highly flammable alcohol, used as a solvent.
• Formaldehyde - a toxic colorless gas with a pungent odor that acts as a powerful deodorizing agent.
• Sodium nitrite - a reducing agent, a flammable toxic substance, added as a reducing agent and preservative.
• Benzene - a carcinogenic liquid with a specific odor, included in the composition as a solvent.
• Phthalates - capture odors. They are deposited in the kidneys and have a negative effect on the endocrine system.
• Pinene, limonene - chemical fragrances.

The biggest evil comes from aerosol drugs. When sprayed, tiny particles of chemicals are released into the atmosphere, penetrating the body through the respiratory system and through the pores of the skin. One must have truly great health to withstand such an onslaught of carcinogenic substances.

How do air fresheners affect the body?

According to scientists, the harm of air fresheners can hardly be overestimated. Moreover, all the most important systems of the body suffer: nervous, respiratory, digestive, circulatory.

• Regular inhalation of the chemical can adversely affect the functioning of the nervous system. Formaldehyde vapor causes lethargy and drowsiness, weakness and decreased performance. In case of severe poisoning, a headache appears, fingers tremble, and vision decreases.
• On the part of the respiratory system, frequent use of a refreshing aerosol leads to lack of air, burning and sore throat. Severe poisoning can result in bronchospasm, shortness of breath, and pulmonary edema.

The use of air fresheners in an apartment where people with bronchial asthma live is strictly prohibited!

• Excessive use of air-flavoring substances may disrupt the functioning of the digestive system. In this case, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain appear.
• The air freshener is harmful for people prone to allergies. When the chemical comes into contact with the skin, it causes redness, burning and itching. Sometimes you may even develop eczema.
• Harmful vapors negatively affect the composition of the blood, reducing hemoglobin, which leads to anemia.

Many people constantly use air-refreshing aerosols and do not understand why they feel bad, because intoxication does not accumulate immediately. If at least one of the listed symptoms of poisoning is noticed, you should stop using the chemical, ventilate the room and consult a doctor.

How to make your own air freshener

Knowing how dangerous and harmful air freshener purchased in a store is, many make their own home care products from natural substances. Essential oils are usually used as a flavoring component.

Essential oil can also cause an allergic reaction. Before you start using the freshener, you need to make sure that your body reacts adequately to essential oils.

Here are some simple ways to make safe air fresheners with your own hands:

• • Choose an essential oil that has a suitable scent, apply a few drops to cotton swabs or pieces of paper and place it around the apartment in inconspicuous places.
  • If a piece of cloth with essential oil is placed on a warm radiator, the smell will intensively spread throughout the room.
  • A piece of gauze soaked in a scented liquid is placed inside the vacuum cleaner next to the HEPA filter. The air emitted from the vacuum cleaner will acquire a pleasant aroma.
  • Aroma lamps and air humidifiers can be used as a freshener. One has only to add essential oil to the liquid and the room will be filled with the captivating smells of mountain freshness or blooming lavender.

• To make an aerosol air freshener, you need to fill a spray bottle with clean water and a little fragrant oil. Using this product is simple and safe.
• You can make a gel-based product.To do this, you need to dilute a bag of gelatin, following the instructions on the package, add 1 tbsp. l. glycerin and a little essential oil. The mixture is poured into glasses and placed in different places. You can use food coloring to add color to the freshener.
• Fir and pine branches can serve as a natural air purifier in the apartment.
• To remove the unpleasant smell in the toilet room, you can peel the orange and spread out the peels. Another method with orange: several sticks of cloves are stuck into the peel and left as a flavoring.

But the best and most natural room freshener is clean air. First of all, you need to open the window and ventilate the room well, and only then use fragrances. Do not put your health at risk by inhaling toxic compounds with a pleasant odor. It is better to make a safe air freshener from natural substances.