Air Fresheners

Some household air fresheners that need heat to spread the aroma (burning oils and incense and, to a lesser extent, scented candles) worsen air quality by emitting excessive levels of toxic, allergenic pollutants, some even worse than tobacco smoke. The oils and incense failed the test for issuing excessive levels of harmful compounds like benzene and formaldehyde. To reach this conclusion the OCU along with other consumer associations from Belgium, Italy and Portugal analysed in September 2013 twenty-two household air fresheners in order to check what kind of substances they emit into the air. The air fresheners analysed are associated with well-being and relaxation and are increasingly used in homes but "unfortunately, far from producing these benefits, what some of them do is emit excessive levels of toxic, allergenic pollutants. Thus, some of the products tested actually worsen the quality of the environment, making it even comparable, in terms of toxicity and health risks, to the atmosphere in a room full of chain smokers.

Some oils and incense failed in the analysis because they emit lots of fine particles, volatile organic compounds, especially harmful allergens and compounds like benzene and formaldehyde. The high emission of benzene from Satya Sai Baba cones which emit 490 micrograms of benzene per cubic meter, compared to 60 from a cigarette, was one of the most surprising results of this study. Following this research we approached the European Commission and the Spanish authorities asking for legislation setting emission limits and making obligatory labelling which shows conditions of use and the dangers posed by these products to health. We also request that the oils and incenses are controlled in the market and that those with a very high level of emissions be withdrawn.

As a result, the Popular Party today presented a non-legislative motion that urges the Government, in collaboration with the autonomous communities, to set limits to the emission of certain substances likely to cause harm to health (benzene, formaldehyde) and that appropriate information is provided to consumers about the safe use of air fresheners, incense and scented candles. The Commission for Health and Social Services of Congress will discuss this issue and OCU hopes that legislation to protect consumers is adopted.