Are air fresheners and other scented products tested for health and safety?
Manufacturers evaluate products for health and safety to assure that products are safe and effective. Ingredients are routinely examined to ensure that exposure levels from product use and potential misuses are below the level that would pose significant health risk. Moreover, the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) evaluates the safety of fragrance raw materials found in perfumes, air fresheners and other scented products and provides safety assessments. An independent, international Expert Panel of dermatologists, pathologists, toxicologists, and environmental scientists evaluates RIFM’s scientific findings.

Does the government regulate air care products?  
All consumer specialty products are regulated by multiple federal agencies. Numerous federal statutes and regulations apply to the formulation, distribution, use and disposal of these products. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is the primary regulator of air fresheners and other typical non-pesticide household consumer products.


Where does the fragrance in air fresheners and other scented products come from?
Fragrance concentrates are used in the formulation of air fresheners and scented products to provide a desired scent to a finished product. Fragrance concentrates are naturally derived from plants or animals or are synthetically produced aroma chemicals. Air fresheners and scented products generally contain a low level of fragrance.
Are there long term health risks to using air fresheners and other scented products?
The ingredients in air fresheners are routinely evaluated to ensure that the levels of exposure from product use or foreseeable misuses are far below the level that would pose significant risks. This includes assuring that fragrance materials do not present risks of adverse health effects. Information on the testing of fragrance materials by independent scientists can be found at the web site of the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials – www.rifm.org.


Why are cleaning products scented?
A pleasant fragrance makes many tasks, including cleaning, more pleasant. We associate pleasing odors with cleanliness and a pleasant odor indicates that something is clean.


Do air fresheners affect human behavior?
By making your surroundings more serene and pleasant, air care products can enhance your mood, reduce stress, stimulate memory and increase productivity.


What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy and the related science of aromachology are actual studies of scent and psychological effects of scent on human health, emotion and behavior. Aromachology is defined as the “psychology of scent.” It focuses on the effects of certain herbal essential oils on humans, which include relaxation, improvement of work and behavior, stimulation of memory, and reduction of stress. The actual use of these essential oils for these benefits is what is known as aromatherapy.

Are electric air fresheners safe for pets?
Electric air fresheners are safe for use in homes with pets. However, electric air fresheners are not recommended for use in small confined pet areas without adequate ventilation. Use with care around birds and other small household pets, as they may be more sensitive to fragrances.


Do scented products trigger asthma or other allergic reactions?
According to a National Academy of Science Institute of Medicine study, the overwhelming causes of both the development and exacerbation of asthma are biological contaminants . Chemicals generally found in consumer specialty products, including air fresheners, are not known to be associated with the development or exacerbation of asthma.



Are some people allergic to scented products?
Some people with allergies may be more sensitive than others to scented products. Substances such as soap powders, cigarette smoke, perfumes and certain plant odors may irritate the respiratory tract of people with allergies, but the symptoms they may experience are not necessarily the direct result of an allergic reaction. Only a medical professional can determine a true allergic reaction to a scented product.


Do air fresheners contain other toxic ingredients?
Formulators of air care products carefully choose ingredients with low toxicity. They extensively test both the ingredients and the finished product to ensure that exposure levels from normal product use and potential misuse are below the level that would pose risks. Consumers should always read labels and use the product according to directions.


Do air fresheners cause cancer?
Air fresheners do not contain known carcinogenic ingredients. Product formulators conduct extensive health and safety testing of ingredients and finished product to ensure the product is safe when used according to label directions.