Indoor air quality can be as much as 5x more polluted than outdoor air, even in the largest cities. Ironically, one major contributor to indoor air pollution is synthetic air "fresheners."

Studies have shown that air "fresheners" can emit over 100 different chemicals, including volatile organic compounds like terpenes, formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and xylene, and semi-volatile organic compounds like phthalates. 

All types of air fresheners can emit these chemicals, include sprays, gels, solids, oils, cartridges, diffusers, and evaporators. It makes no difference if they are passive or active. 

These endocrine-disrupting chemicals also penetrate into building materials, furniture, and other home goods, exposing us long after the fragrant polluting item is gone. 


Some of the common chemicals found in synthetic air fresheners - and their associations - include: 

• 1,4-Diclorobenzene (1,4 DB): respiratory reactions, skin issues, liver damage, and cancer
• Xylene: respiratory system irritation, headaches, dizziness, confusion, and loss of muscle coordination 
• Formaldehyde: skin rashes, shortness of breath, wheezing, changes in lung function, and cancer 
• Parabens: skin reactions, hormone disruption, fertility issues, and increased risk of cancer
• Phthalates:  neurodevelopment concerns, reproductive hormone disruption, thyroid function, breast cancer, and more 
• Benzene: cancer risk, bone marrow concerns, decrease red blood cells, headaches, respiratory issues, and more 
• Styrene:  cancer risk, central nervous system concerns, gastrointestinal issues
• Toluene: respiratory reactions, dizziness, headaches, anxiety, muscle fatigue, insomnia, nerve damage, inflammation of the skin, liver and kidney damage, and more
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs):  common reactions include headaches, loss of coordination, nausea, organ damage, and adverse central nervous system reactions 

Certainly, we want to avoid these chemicals! When we already live in a chemically-ladened world, it's important to be selective about what we bring into our homes. After all, indoor air quality is NOT regulated by the EPA or any other governing body... regulation comes down to consumer choice. 

It's important to remember that you cannot "air-freshen" away the root cause of a stinky house. A healthy home will be odor-free naturally. Keep a regular deep cleaning schedule, use air filtration systems, ensure proper air flow, and choose low-VOC products to ensure healthy air quality. 

Want to get to the root cause of those musty odors in your Nashville TN home and solve them once and for all? Schedule your Healthy Home Diagnostic Assessment today! E3 can help you understand if those stinky smells are coming from your HVAC system, your crawlspace, or someplace else...

In the mean time, here are some natural alternatives to give your home that cozy aroma without the toxic chemical exposure:

• Use natural essential in a diffuser or squirt bottle with water.
• Try a simmer pot: Add your favorite natural ingredients like citrus, herbs, and/or spices to a pot of simmering water. Try dried oranges, cloves, and cinnamon sticks.