Air Fresheners: Havens for Chemicals

Does your son's bedroom have a stench of sweat? Want to clear it out? Well, before you reach for the air freshener, think again.
From sprays to plugins to odor neutralizers to even aromatherapy candles, these call contain chemicals.
These chemicals such as formaldehyde, fragrance, benzyl alcohol, camphor, ethanol, and naphthalene. These can ultimately lead to asthma, allergies. Even worse, these chemicals can attack the nervous system, causing diseases like Alzheimers, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, or even SIDs.
We have taught our bodies that these scents mean clean when really, they only cause problems. Spraying them in small areas can produce toxins in the air.
I know that when I read this up, the part that shocked me the most was that aromatherapy candles are toxic as well. Most candles are made with paraffin wax. This wax is a petrochemical which, when burned, produces unhealthy byproducts into the air. The American Lung Association states that "scented, paraffin candles cause lead poisoning and using slow burning paraffin candles cause poor indoor air quality, and a serious health concern." On top of the wax, the wicks of these candles tend to contain unsafe lead concentrations which, when in haled, go straight to the bloodstream. 
So how to fix the problem and still get a clean house?
- Use nontoxic cleaners! For example, I know we use Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day products at my house
- Add potted plants to a room to keep oxygen flowing and reduce toxins naturally
- Cook a delicious meal or simmer some dried spices in a pan on the stove
- Use organic potpourris
- Burn 100% pure unscented beeswax candles with cotton wicks
- Open the windows to get some fresh air flowing

-Larissa

Photo Courtesy of Candie_N