Most people don’t know that products like Febreze have many cancer-causing ingredients. They falsely claim that they “eliminate” odors when all they really do is mask the odors and add toxins to your indoor air. The EPA says that indoor air is 5 times more polluted than outdoor air partly due to the many chemicals and toxins found in air freshening products and cleaners. Sad. 

I found this bit of information useful and helpful to this current discussion: 

The Natural Resources Defense Council studied the effects of air fresheners, discovering that they currently undergo no safety testing. The results were disturbing, because they revealed high levels of phthalates, which are known to be especially harmful to children. These chemicals were even present in sprays which were claimed to be “All-Natural” and “unscented”. Phthalates were not disclosed in the list of ingredients for any of the products.“Phthalates are hormone-disrupting chemicals that can be particularly dangerous for young children and unborn babies. Exposure to phthalates can affect testosterone levels and lead to reproductive abnormalities, including abnormal genitalia and reduced sperm production. The State of California notes that five types of phthalates — including one that we found in air freshener products — are ‘known to cause birth defects or reproductive harm.'” — Natural Resources Defense Council

1,4-Dichlorobenzene is a chemical that is found in the blood of 96% of Americans. It has been linked to lung damage, is a known carcinogen, and it is an E.P.A. registered pesticide. Studies found it to increase rates of asthma. It can be found in the majority of air fresheners, toilet deodorizers, and mothballs. It works by attacking the receptors in the nose, and thus eliminating the sense of smell. This is how the new generation of air fresheners actually “freshen”. This chemical was introduced into the American market with the Febreze product from Proctor & Gamble. The new generation of air fresheners that were inspired by the success of Febreze are literally using chemical warfare to destroy their customers’ sense of smell. That lack of smell is where the illusion of freshness comes from. The user only smells these air fresheners for about a minute after they have been sprayed, and then the nose cannot smell most fragrances anymore. This is not a normal adjustment to odors, anymore than a loss of one of the other four senses. The process is the equivalent of using a chemical blinding agent to escape the unpleasantness of a bright light; when that chemical is known to be both poisonous and carcinogenic. By design, the freshening chemical causes damage to the mucous membrane, which is claimed to be temporary. However, no long-term studies have ever been done to test the effects of chronic exposure. It is important to remember that anything inhaled is immediately absorbed into the blood through the lungs relatively unchanged. (read more)

Below you’ll find a list of just some of the 87 chemicals found by the EWG in Febreze Air Effects, listed in order of their toxicity to humans:

BHT– Known as a neurotoxin, endocrine disruptor, immunotoxicity, non-reproductive organ system toxicity, skin eye and lung irritator Acetaldehyde – Known to cause cancer, toxic to reproduction and development, immunotoxin, non-reproductive organ system toxin, skin, eye and lung irritator”Fragrance” – One of the three ingredients actually disclosed, it’s a neurotoxin, immunotoxin and allergenPropylene

Glycol – Causes cancer, allergies, toxic to immune system, accumulates in the system, non-reproductive organ system toxin, is classified with “enhanced skin absorption” and irritates the skin, eye and lung1,

3-Dichloro-2-propanol– Carcinogenic (causes cancer)Limonene – Synthetic form used is known allergen, immunotoxin and skin, eyes and lung irritator

Methyl pyrrolidone – Toxin to reproduction and development, allergen and immunotoxin, non-reproductive organ system toxin and skin, eyes and lung irritator

Alcohol denatured – Also disclosed in the ingredients of Febreze, it’s linked to cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity and skin, eyes and lung irritator

Butylphenyl methylpropion al– allergen, immunotoxin and and skin, eyes and lung irritator

Ethyl acetate – linked to developmental/reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, organic system toxicity and and skin, eyes and lung irritator

Geraniol– Synthetic form used linked to allergies, immunotoxicity, organi system toxicity and and skin, eyes and lung irritation

Linalool– Synthetic form used is known allergen, immunotoxin, and and skin, eyes and lung irritator

Benzaldehyde – neurotoxin, and skin, eyes and lung irritator

Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether – non-reproductive organ system toxicity

Ethylhezanol – developmental and reproductive toxin and skin, eyes and lung irritatorHexyl cinnamal – allergen, immunotoxin and skin, eyes and lung irritator

And many more.

Why are these types of products allowed to be sold without a warning label? Greed. Maybe they don’t give two $*()@ about your health. Who knows. Who cares. Take ownership of your own health, educate yourself, and protect you and your family from toxins. Use ozone to sanitize your air and prosper.