Toxic Air Freshener's

This is a shared article from  Dr Ben Kim
If you use synthetic air fresheners in your car and/or living space, you should know that you're likely

increasing risk of developing a variety of health problems.  Headaches, earaches, depression, an irregular heartbeat, and diarrhea in babies are just a few of many health challenges that have been linked to regular use of synthetic air fresheners.

A report that was released in September of 2007 by the Natural Resources Defense Council found that 12 of 14 brands of common household air fresheners contained phthalates.  Phthalates are chemicals that are used in prolong the length of time that scented products maintain their fragrance.  Regular exposure to phthalates can increase your risk of experiencing endocrine, reporductive, and developmental problems.  Amazingly, some of the brands that tested positive for phthalates did not include phthalates on their lists of ingredients, some of these brands were even labeled as being "all natural" and "unscented".

In response to this study, the National Resources Defense Council produced the following list that indicates the presence or absence of phthalates in common air fresheners:

Highest Levels of Phthalates:

• Walgreens Air Freshener Spray (removed from shelves)
• Walgreens Scented Bouquet Air Fresheners (removed from shelves)
• Walgreens Solid Air Fresheners (removed from shelves)
• Ozium Glycolized Air Sanitizer 

Medium levels of Phthalates:

• Air Wick Scented Oil
• Fabreze NOTICEables  Scented Oil
• Glade Air Infusions
• Glade PlugIn Scented Oil
• Oust Air Sanitizer Spray

 Low levels or no phthalates detected:

• Citrus Magic
• Fabreze Air Effects Air Freshener
• Lysol Brand II Disinfectant
• Oust  Fan Liquid Refills
• Renuzit Subtle Effects 

Please note that having no phthalates does NOT make synthetic air fresheners safe to use in your car or home.  The vast majority of synthetic air fresheners emit significant amounts of terpene, a volatile organic compound that can react with naturally occurring ozone to create Formaldehyde.

Ozone, a form of oxygen, exists at some level both indoors and outdoors, so formaldehyde formation is practically inevitable wherever synthetic air fresheners are used.  Indoor environments that tend to have elevated levels of ozone include those where photocopiers and ozone-generating air purifiers are used.

Why should you be concerned about exposure to formaldehyde?  Formaldehyde is classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Given all of the above, it's not surprising that a study that was published in 2007 issued of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical  Care Medicine indicates that regular use of sprays can increase your risk of developing asthma by 30-50%.  This study was performed by the European Community Respiratory Health Survey and collected data from 3,500 people in 10 European countries.

Clearly, your health is best served by minimizing exposure to synthetic air fresheners and other synthetic products that are designed to emit a prolonged artificial scent.

Here are some simple and natural ways of keeping your car and living space smelling fresh without using chemical-laden air fresheners:

1. Open your windows -- even just a crack during cold weather -- for at least 30 minutes a day.  Weather permitting, it's best to keep your windows open all the time, assuming that you don't live in a heavily polluted area.
2. Sprinkle baking soda on carpets before you vacuum.
3. Keep a box of baking soda open in the room
4. Keep natural (preferably organic) potpourri in a bowl out in the open, or put into little sachets to keep around the house.
5. Maintain a friendly gathering of indoor plants in your living and work spaces
6. Take the garbage and compost out every day. (not piled in the garage, but in a trash can)

Please consider sharing this information, link to this blog, with family members and friends who use synthetic air fresheners in their cars, homes, and work places.  And if you have any other iddeas on how to keep these areas smelling fresh without using synthetic chemicals, please consider adding them to the comment section below.

Another note:  Essential Oils and diffusers are very popular now, as are wax melting pots.  If you

should get headaches, or stuffy sinuses, or anyone in your home does, this could be caused by "synthetics" added.  Noting that it "claims" to be pure, natural, doesn't mean it is.
There have been several 3rd party tests of many essential oils on the market, finding them to be partially synthetic, or additives with the lower quality of oils (for profit and customer satisfaction on smells).  Ameo, is the first and only, clinical grade essential oils available to the general public at this time.  Ameo tests more than other companies, uses the database of clinical studies and research facilities to meet their high clinical standards.  Is endorsed by world leading authorities in essential oils research and medical Doctors.  Consider trying Ameo essential oils.

For additional recipes for effective, safe, easy products for your home, cleaning, and freshening.
Visit:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/HealthyHomeWithEssentialOils/
To learn more about Ameo oils at:   http://ClinicalGradeEssentialOils.myameo.com