Aerosol, headaches, depression

Air Quality: Are you polluting your home and putting your health at risk?

There are many house proud people who believe that by spraying chemicals from a can they’ll “freshen” the air in their homes. Chemicals can infuse the air with a scent that mimics fresh aroma, but in some cases they can actually make the air unhealthy.

Gradual build-up

Many household products contain solvents called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). And in this case the word “organic” doesn’t imply a health benefit. Far from it.

Two typical VOCs (used in many commercial air fresheners) are benzene; a carcinogen that’s been linked to leukaemia, and xylene; a toxic petroleum by-product that’s been associated with headaches and cognitive impairment.

Researchers at the University of Bristol examined the effects of VOCs on mothers and infants enrolled in a large, ongoing study known as Children of the 90s. More than 10,000 mothers in this study responded to questionnaires regarding the use of products known to raise VOC levels. The questionnaires also gathered information about known symptoms of VOC exposure. In addition, 170 of the subjects agreed to have VOC levels monitored in their homes for one year.

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The Bristol team reported these findings:

· In homes where air fresheners were used daily, mothers averaged nearly 10 percent more frequent headaches than mothers in homes where air fresheners were used once a week or less

· In the “daily” homes, mothers had more than 25 percent higher risk of depression compared to mothers in the “once a week” homes

· In the “daily” homes, infants were 32 percent more likely to suffer from diarrhoea

· Infants in the “daily” homes had significantly more ear aches than infants in “once a week” homes

In their published study in the Archives of Environmental Health, the researchers noted that the daily use of air fresheners and other aerosol products created a gradual accumulation of VOCs. And while the study focused on mothers and infants, the researchers believe that VOCs may cause similar reactions for anyone who spends a significant amount of time at home, such as retirees.

Set on simmer

In a press release from the University of Bristol, the lead author of the study, Dr. Alexandra Farrow, noted that until further research is done on air fresheners and aerosols, it would be wise to limit the use of these products. Her suggestion: “Squeezing a lemon is just as effective at freshening the air.”

I agree. Over the holidays I stopped by a friend’s house and the moment I walked through the front door I noticed a very appealing aroma. This was not the result of something sprayed out of a can or injected into the air in a puff of smoke from a “fragrancer” unit. My friend had simply filled a large pot with water, tossed in some orange rinds, apple slices and cinnamon, and set the stovetop burner on low.

The result: A subtle and inviting aroma without the unnecessary extra baggage of benzene, xylene or any other VOCs.

21.02.2005

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