We all want our homes and offices to smell fresh and clean. But it is worth taking a minute to think about the contents of the sprays. Perfumes and body sprays have been given much attention. Medical offices, therapeutic spaces, and gyms often post signs asking people to limit their use of scents. We need to also look at all the air fresheners on the market. After air fresheners are sprayed, we breath in the areosolized particles. These particles don’t stop in our noses, but travel into our lungs. Chemical air fresheners cause irritation to the lungs and have been studied as a trigger for asthma attacks. Though the chemicals are not the cause of asthma, an article on MSN interviews an allergist who points to a lifestyle choice that can help reduce triggers for asthmatics. This article lists the contents in air fresheners as irritants.
So next time you reach for your spray, think about peeling an orange or cracking a window to let some fresh air in. One of my favorite ways to change the air of my house, is to start dinner early, especially if it involves sauteing onions and celery.
In health,
Dr. Molly
