What makes a home feel like home? If we asked ten people, we would likely get ten distinct answers. Our homes are deeply personal spaces – filled with sounds of family, warm blankets to cuddle under at night, and smells of homecooked meals. Many of us also regularly use products to change the scent of the air in our homes, but some of these products may contain hidden, harmful chemicals that can have negative health impacts.(1)

Air fresheners come in various forms, including sprays, plug-in devices, scented gel or gel beads, scented candles, or incense. Individuals may use them because they like the smell, while candles or incense may be used for ritual or religious reasons.

Importantly, air fresheners don’t remove bad smells but simply mask them; they don’t address the root cause of unpleasant odors. These products use synthetic chemicals to create a scent that can contain dozens of chemicals (if not more), but manufacturing companies are not required by law to disclose a given product’s list of ingredients.(2,3)

This means that a single scent could be a mix of many chemicals, but as consumers, we wouldn’t know which chemicals we are being exposed to and if they are harmful to our health.

Common harmful chemicals in air fresheners include phthalates, VOCs (volatile organic compounds) like formaldehyde and more. Many of these are endocrine disruptors, meaning that they interfere with the way hormones function in our bodies.(4) Around 70% of breast cancer cases are found to be estrogen receptor positive (ER+), meaning that the cancer feeds off estrogen to grow.(5) Certain gynecologic cancers like endometrial and ovarian can also be ER+.(6)

We can be exposed to chemicals from air fresheners through multiple pathways. As Madeline Holodnik, Engagement Coordinator for the Institute for Human Health and the Environment at the University of Rochester, explains, “Air fresheners don’t just smell nice; they release chemicals into the air. When you smell them, you’re actually breathing those chemicals in. Those chemicals can also settle into household dust, which you might breathe in or accidentally swallow, and some can even be absorbed through your skin.” 

Air freshener chemicals also have the potential to impact asthma or other respiratory conditions, cause headaches, irritate the skin, impact fertility and more.(7)

While conducting a recent study of contaminants in household dust in Rochester homes (called “ROC HOME”), University of Rochester researchers learned just how common air freshener use is.(8) The study included 45 chemicals found in common household products that may affect health – including phthalates and fragrance chemicals like those found in many air fresheners. The researchers also surveyed residents about the products they used, and almost all reported using some kind of air freshener regularly. However, few people knew that the chemicals used to create those scents could impact health.

Additionally, certain air fresheners can be marketed as “green” or “natural,” but they may still contain chemicals that could be harmful to human health(9) – this is known as greenwashing.(10)

With misleading marketing and incomplete chemical ingredient lists, it can be overwhelming to know how to reduce our risk of exposure to toxins. The Community Engagement Core of the University of Rochester Environmental Health Sciences Center shares information about safer, non-toxic alternatives that keep your home smelling fresh while also reducing your exposure.(11)

1. Stop odors before they start by taking out the trash and cleaning pet areas and bathrooms frequently.
2. Use baking soda to neutralize odors in refrigerators, furniture, carpets, and trash.
3. Put out fresh or dried flowers, like potpourri.
4. If available, open the windows or use fans to increase airflow in your living space.
5. Simmer natural ingredients like cinnamon, fruit, or vanilla on the stove.*

The Breast Cancer Coalition is dedicated to providing information related to environmental exposures and their potential links to breast and gynecologic cancers. With access to these resources, it can be easier to make empowered and informed decisions about ways to reduce the risk of these cancers. Our Advocacy Committee works to support legislation that directly addresses these concerns. To learn more, email info@bccr.org.

*For your safety, do not leave a simmer pot on the stove unattended, and do not let the water boil away.

Much of the research provided in this article was referenced or provided by the Environmental Health Sciences Center at the University of Rochester Medical Center. We thank them for their partnership.