Isn't it amazing how we associate certain scents with different holidays? This time of year is all about the scent of freshly baked cookies, fresh-cut pine trees, minty candy canes and comforting dinners being pulled from the oven. These smells remind us of our childhood...or the childhood we saw in movies and wished that we had. The scents all came from a place of love and happiness. So, why is it that we think these smells can be recreated in a room freshener spray? Be sure to check out all of our amazing Green Living Ideas for Families.
As I have said in the past, I am not a scientist or doctor, I am just a concerned woman and parent. I'm a curious person who loves to do a little research and find out about the things that are impacting my life. The opinions I express on my blog are entirely my own...I hope they inspire you to explore the world around you as well.
Who can ever forget the air fresheners of our youth? The pyramid of waxy stuff that had the pop-up lid and smelled strongly of artificial flowers...'cause seriously no flowers ever smelled that strong! I'm not sure, but I think those air fresheners are a thing of the past...right?
The reality is that we spend a lot of time indoors. As hard as we try to get outdoors, it is impossible to escape the fact that between work, school and home we spend most of our lives inside. Studies are showing that the indoor air quality in some situations is actually poorer than outdoor air quality. Imagine your home is worse than the smoggy roadside. When you think about it, this actually seems quite true. Our homes are filled with things that contribute to poor air quality; paint, carpet, pressed board furniture, plastics, detergents, moisture and deodorizers. Now, add these components to a place that has been weatherproofed and lacks proper ventilation.
So, with all this going on in one home it makes sense that our homes might smell a little funky and maybe we use the air fresheners to take away some of that smell. Or, are we only adding another layer of chemicals to the mix? Yep, we are.
While we are lining up to purchase low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints we are not noticing the VOCs in air fresheners. Nor are we aware of the phthalates that are being expelled by air fresheners. These are just 2 of the known chemicals and compounds that are on our eco-radars these days. Exposure VOCs can lead to an increase in asthma, allergies, and skin and eye irritation. And, phthalate is a known endocrine disruptor which can contribute to birth defects and reproduction problems.
Now, it is not as if air fresheners are spewing these chemicals constantly into your home. The reported amounts of these chemicals are quite low (ppm). However, adding these chemicals and compounds to your indoor environments for prolonged periods of time may contribute to health issues.
A large study conducted (2007) by Natural Resources Defence Council (a US environmental agency) identified phthalate amounts in air fresheners. After the release of this study the American drug store chain, Walgreens removed a number of items from their shelves. Proving that with education and awareness change can happen.
The Canadian government introduced the Clean Air Act in 2006. The Clean Air Act made minor provisions for looking at indoor air quality (examining Radon levels). However, there has really been no notable legislation put in place to protect our indoor environments. There is no requirement for these air freshening products to even list their ingredients on the side of the bottle.
Alternatives to plugging in or spraying an air freshener?
- open a window
- use a humidifier in the winter and a dehumidifier in the summer
to keep the moisture levels in your home under control
- bake cookies
- place a dish of baking soda in places that need extra deodorizing
(cat litter, hockey equipment)
- simmer a pot with water and lemon slices on the stovetop to freshen your air
- keep indoor plants like philodendron, peace lily and english ivy -
- use soy-based and naturally scented candles - so you know what the ingredients are
Do you have any suggestions for ways to deodorize and freshen the air in our homes this holiday? I would love to hear your suggestions.
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