HAZARDOUS CONSTITUENT | POSSIBLE EFFECTS |
---|---|
FORMALDEHYDE | A suspected carcinogen and a strong irritant to the eyes, throat, skin and lungs |
PETROLEUM DISTILLATES | Irritates skin, eyes, respiratory tract; may cause fatal pulmonary edema; flammable |
P-DICHLOROBENZENE | Vapor irritating to skin, eyes and throat, causes liver damage in animal studies |
AEROSOL PROPELLANTS | Either associated with brain damage or highly flammable |
Air fresheners work in one of the following four ways: by interfering with your ability to smell by way of a nerve-deadening agent; by coating your nasal passages with an undetectable oil film; by covering up one smell with another; and (rarely) by breaking down the offensive odor. Despite their name, air fresheners do little to freshen the air. Aerosol fresheners can be harmful to lungs if inhaled in high concentrations or for prolonged periods of time. Solid fresheners may be poisonous if eaten by children or pets.
Use: If freshener is in aerosol form, do not breathe fumes. Avoid skin contact. Use only in well-ventilated areas.
Storage: Keep out of the reach of children and pets. Store away from heat or flame.
Disposal: It is best to use up air freshener as it was intended. For unwanted portions of solid air freshener, allow to evaporate by exposing it to the air.
Alternatives: There are several nontoxic ways to freshen the air in your home.