Saturday, March 24, 2012

The Dangers of Air Fresheners

Image from www.apartmenttherapy.com


Many people use air fresheners in their homes.  What they don't know is that the main ingredients in these products, formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, aerosol propellants, and p-dichlorobenzene can cause health problems as well as damage to the environment.  Take a look at some of the known side effects of these chemicals...
  • formaldehyde: watery eyes, burning eyes, nose, and throat, difficulty breathing, nausea, and asthma
  • petroleum distillates: respiratory trouble, asthma, chemical pneumonia, and pulmonary damage
  • aerosol propellants: increase cancer risk, breathing problems, and chronic health issues
  • p-dichlorobenzene (p-DCB): anemia, skin lesions, liver damage, loss of appetite, and changes to the blood
One of the best alternatives to chemical-laden air fresheners I've found is diffusing essential oils.  Unlike commercial air fresheners, when you diffuse certain essential oils they actually clean the air.  Not only do they freshen and clean the air, but they often provide immune support to you and your family.  Some of my favorite oils to diffuse are Purification, Lemon, and Thieves for cleaning the air and supporting immune function.  I also love to diffuse Christmas Spirit (I use this year round, not just during the holidays)--it gives my house a wonderfully clean and fresh scent.

Do you own a diffuser?  What essential oils do you regularly diffuse?

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