Are Air Fresheners Toxic? What You’re Breathing Indoors

We all enjoy the comforting scents of air fresheners – soft vanilla, chocolate chip cookie, festive pumpkin spice. These fragrances can make any space feel warm and welcoming.

But have you ever wondered to yourself, “Are air fresheners safe?” 

Whether used to lift your mood or mask odors, air fresheners can pose health risks. Toxic chemicals in many popular products are a real concern, and they often go unnoticed.

This article examines what’s inside air fresheners, how long-term exposure can affect your health, and what you can do to protect the air you breathe. You’ll also find practical tips to help maintain a healthier indoor environment.

What’s in Air Fresheners? Common Ingredients and Chemicals Explained

The first thing you should know about air fresheners is that they’re all formulated a little differently. Some will be worse than others from a toxicity perspective, but the main ingredient in chemical air fresheners (also called plug-in air fresheners) is the fragrance. This is what gives the air freshener its unique scent.

Though fragrance may seem like a non-issue, when you look closely at fragrance ingredients, some unsavory things come into focus.

Studies suggest that the average fragrance may contain a mix of hundreds of chemicals, including: 

• Limonene, which can react to combine with indoor ozone and produce into toxic pollutants like formaldehyde.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are among the most toxic chemicals in air fresheners’ fragrances.
• Phthalates, a series of common chemicals that are known to be dangerous endocrine disruptors.
• Paradichlorobenzene, a pesticide found in some deodorizers (causes cancer in animals and short-term health effects due to toxicity).

Note: There are also colorants, preservatives, solvents, surfactants, and disinfectants in air fresheners.

Unfortunately, much of the time, you won’t see most of the actual ingredients in a given air freshener. That’s because manufacturers aren’t required to list all of the ingredients that make up a fragrance.

Per the FDA, fragrance ingredients can be listed simply as “Fragrance” so as not to divulge trade secrets. This 2016 study suggests that less than 10% of air freshener ingredients are disclosed to the public.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): What They Are and Why They Matter

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are substances with low water solubility and high vapor pressure. Тhey are released in a gaseous form from either solids or liquids.

VOCs aren’t only emitted by air fresheners; here are a few other common sources:

• Cleaning supplies;
• Aerosols;
• Office equipment;
• Correction fluids;
• Paint;
• Glues and adhesives;
• Pesticides;
• And more.

Why are VOCs important? The answer is clear. Volatile organic compounds can cause both short- and long-term health problems. Indoors, their impact is greater because ventilation is limited, allowing these chemicals to build up over time.

Per the American Lung Association, the following symptoms are associated with short-term exposure to VOC-based indoor air pollution:

• Nose, eye, and throat irritation;
• Nausea;
• Trouble breathing.

Potential Health Effects of Long-Term Exposure to Air Fresheners

The health risks associated with air fresheners should never be overlooked.

Some studies suggest that long-term exposure to air fresheners can lead to a myriad of health conditions, including respiratory irritation, neurological symptoms, and hormone disruption. Other studies are exploring links to central nervous system damage, organ issues, and even increased risk of cancer.

So, it’s best to limit your VOC exposure as much as you can so you can reduce your risk of experiencing these health consequences.

To look up potentially toxic air freshener ingredients, grab your air freshener and go to this CDC government resource for a list of toxic substances. You can pull up individual ingredients and the health issues associated with them.

Who’s Most at Risk? Vulnerable Groups Affected by Air Freshener Use

Some people have absolutely no detectable reaction to air fresheners, and others struggle intensely.

If you have a chemical sensitivity to air fresheners, your airways may become irritated when you breathe in air freshener ingredients. This is different from an allergy, where there’s a more widespread whole-body reaction.

Here are a few other vulnerable groups affected by air freshener use: 

• Children;
• The elderly;
• Pregnant individuals;
• People who have asthma.

Scientific Studies on Air Fresheners and Respiratory or Neurological Health

A 2016 scientific study on health effects from exposure to fragranced consumer products and respiratory health has found that health problems (including respiratory issues) affect over 34.7% of the population. People may also experience memory problems.

Neurological effects range from dizziness and headaches to lack of concentration and vision issues. This 2016 study, referenced above, reported that these symptoms are an issue for people even when exposed to low levels of fragrance products.

Regulatory Oversight: What Authorities Say About Air Freshener Safety

 The main regulatory bodies involved in air freshener safety include: 

•  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA);
•  US Food and Drug Administration (FDA);
•  Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC);
•  National Institution for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH);
•  Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Much of the advice and recommendations given by the above regulatory bodies seem to mirror each other for the most part.

For instance, the Environmental Protection Agency stresses that the public doesn’t know what’s in air fresheners and that these products are a major source of VOCs in indoor settings. They also acknowledge that adverse effects like headaches, infant illness, and breathing issues are caused by these VOCs.

Similar sentiments are given by the Consumer Product Safety Commission; they recognize air fresheners as a source of air pollution in homes, offices, and elsewhere.

Safer Alternatives to Conventional Air Fresheners for a Healthier Home

Given the health risks linked to most air fresheners, it makes sense to choose a safer alternative – one that doesn’t compromise your well-being.

Note: Before we move forward, it’s important to know that a wide variety of air fresheners (automatic spray air fresheners, essential oils air fresheners, and even natural air fresheners) carry risks. Just because a given product manufacturer claims that their air freshener is natural, safe, or organic doesn’t mean that it’s safe for you.

The problem with commercial air freshener alternatives is that they aren’t much better. For instance, you might be recommended essential oil diffusers or “natural” fresheners. These “better” alternatives can still emit harmful chemicals, VOCs. On top of that, these products and remedies often haven’t gone through significant safety testing.

Baking soda is a safe, non-toxic deodorizer. However, using it in large amounts – especially as a substitute for heavy-duty air fresheners – can irritate the respiratory system, particularly for those with existing conditions like asthma or allergies.

Due to air freshener health complaints and risks, the Environmental Working Group states that we should avoid synthetic fragrances. It’s best to get down to the source of the issue and remedy whatever that is.

Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality Without Using Synthetic Scents

Quitting air fresheners may feel like a challenge, but it’s entirely possible to maintain clean, pleasant indoor air without relying on artificial scents.

Keep these home-freshening tips in mind and try them out in your living space:

• Don’t smoke in the house or let anyone else do the same – secondhand smoke tanks air quality in a big way. If you can, quit smoking entirely to eliminate third-hand smoke from the premises.
• Get yourself an air purifier and run it every day; it will remove impurities from the air, reducing the toxins you inhale on a regular basis.
• Ventilate your home often by opening windows and doors. Just be sure to verify the air quality index for your area first. Sometimes, the air quality outside is so bad that it makes more sense not to ventilate.
• Use fans to create a cross-breeze to remove stale air. You’ll place one fan so it blows air into the room and one across the room to blow air out of the room.
• Ensure that your HVAC filter is replaced on a regular basis, so the system will work efficiently and effectively.

Conclusion: Making Informed Choices About What You Breathe Indoors

So, are air fresheners toxic?

While not all air fresheners are equally hazardous, the science leaves little room for confusion: long-term exposure to air freshener and VOCs can have serious consequences for your respiratory, neurological, and hormonal health.

Thankfully, you have options. By staying informed, choosing safer alternatives, and adopting smarter indoor air quality practices, you can create a cleaner, healthier environment without relying on synthetic scents.

What you breathe matters – so choose wisely.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are air fresheners healthy to breathe?

Your typical air freshener is not healthy to breathe due to VOCs, other undisclosed ingredients, and the health problems they can cause. To ensure the integrity of your health, it’s best to forego these products if possible.

Are plug-in air fresheners worse than sprays?

Yes. Plug-ins release chemicals continuously, increasing long-term exposure to VOCs and phthalates, which can accumulate in enclosed spaces.

Is “fragrance-free” the same as “non-toxic”?

No. Fragrance-free means no added scent, but it doesn’t guarantee the absence of harmful chemicals.

What are the best non-toxic ways to keep my home smelling fresh?

Use open windows for ventilation, simmer herbs or citrus on the stove, keep baking soda in odor-prone areas, and clean regularly to eliminate odor sources.

Are essential oils a safer alternative to traditional air fresheners?

Generally, yes—if used sparingly and with good ventilation. However, some essential oils can still trigger allergic reactions or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.

Are air fresheners safe to use around babies or pets?

No. Infants and animals are more sensitive to airborne toxins, and even low levels of exposure can affect their health over time.

Sources

INDOOR AIR QUALITY: Scented Products Emit a Bouquet of VOCs

Phthalates and Their Impacts on Human Health

Air Fresheners Fact Sheet: Default parameters for estimating consumer exposure – Version 2021 [Internet].

Fragrances in Cosmetics

Ten questions concerning air fresheners and indoor built environments

What are volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?

Volatile Organic Compounds

Toxic Substances Portal

What Is Fragrance Sensitivity?

Are Scented Candles and Air Fresheners Harming Your Child?

Association of household chemicals use with cognitive function among Chinese older adults

The use of household cleaning products during pregnancy and lower respiratory tract infections and wheezing during early life

Fragranced consumer products: effects on asthmatics

Fragranced consumer products: exposures and effects from emissions

Article of Interest: Unsuspecting Household Items May Be Eroding Your Brain Cells

Ten questions concerning air fresheners and indoor built environments

Care for Your Air: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality

The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality

Your best air freshener isn’t an air freshener

Sodium Bicarbonate

The 14 Best Natural and Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products