The inviting and tranquil effect of interior smells in the home long been touted. Indoor home aromas can freshen inside air and mask cooking, cigarette and stale odors, while creating a calm, stress-free and beckoning atmosphere. Many home scented products are available to perfume homes, from simple air fresheners, to scented candles, to potpourri sachets, to incense, to pillow and linen fragrances and aromatic oil lamps.
As pleasant and peaceful as the odors emitted in home fragrances might be, repeated inhalation of certain types of scented home products may produce respiratory illnesses, even cancers and tumors. They can deteriorate air quality and emit toxins into the air, causing indoor air pollution. Some synthetic scented air products have even been linked to conditions like diarrhea, depression, earaches and headaches in children and babies.
A study from the University of Michigan found that inhaling scented candles for two hours can threaten human health, provoke respiratory difficulties. Inhaling scented candles is also particularly dangerous for asthmatic sufferers. Candle emissions can diffuse alarming amounts of lead into the air, as well as other volatile organic compounds and toxins. Lead residue in seemingly harmless scented candles can settle on existing walls, furniture and upholstery, and easily make their way into children's mouths when they touch them.
In other studies, some artifical air fresheners were also found to contain chemicals that contain a harmful chemical called phthalate. Phthalates are used to prolong fragrance and diffuse scents into the air. Phthalates can cause endocrine, reproductive, and developmental problems, and even disrupt testosterone functions in men.
Burning fragrant incense is another toxic offender and is nearly as bad as inhaling second-hand, tobacco smoke. Burning incense can emit carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and VOCs, volatile organic compounds into the air.
Black soot deposition, caused by burning combustible materials like potpourri, oil, incense and scented sachets, can produce microscopic soot particles that settle and build up into the interior of the home. Black soot is associated with serious health conditions, deteriorates air quality, and damages the home's interior, and can be difficult and costly to clean and remove off walls and furniture.
Another environmental hazard associated with using home scented products is that they mask the smell of mold and mildew, potentially not cluing you into harmful bacteria that could be lurking and multiplying in various areas of the home.
But since most of us still desire a sweet-smelling home, there are natural, non-toxic, home scenting options available.
When shopping for scented products for the home, look at the product's ingredients carefully, and pick organic ones, free of ozone, phthalates and formaldehyde, known carcinogens. Check the ingredients as some products touted as natural may not be entirely organic and may still have synthetic compounds in them.
Select scented products like room sprays infused with eco-friendly and organic essential or aromatherapy oils and spring water, rather than artificial aromatic agents. When shopping for scented candles, look for soy or palm wax versions, free of lead or petroleum.
*Use scented products sparingly. Wherever possible, change the stale interior air by opening windows and breathe pure, fresh air.
*Display fragrant plants and flowers in the home. A great way to stay in tune with nature, the soft smell of florals are a great and free way to delicately fragrance a room.
*Avoid burning candles, oils and incense. Besides risking a potential fire, burning emits harmful particles in the air, reduces air quality and exacerbates respiratory illnesses.
*For quality, home scenting that produces a wonderful aromatherapeutic atomsphere, simply purchase organic essential oils, like lavender or jasmine, pour into a spray bottle, and spray throughout the home.
For the purest sweet-smelling air possible, diffuse only products fragranced with floral, vegetable and plant extracts, or pure, organic essential oils, and avoid synthetic fragrances.