Combustion 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 and polluting substances, some even worse than tobacco smoke. Oils and incense fail in our survey because they give out excessive levels of harmful compounds like benzene and formaldehyde. To reach this conclusion OCU of Spain along with other consumer associations from Belgium, Italy and Portugal analysed twenty household air fresheners in September 2013 in order to check what kind of substances were emitted 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 those benefits, what some emit are excessive levels of toxic and 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 of an unventilated room full of smokers.

Some oils and incense failed in our analysis due to issuing lots of fine respirable particles, volatile organic compounds, especially harmful allergens and compounds like benzene and formaldehyde which can all be breathed in. The high emission of benzene in 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 ask the European Commission and the Spanish authorities for legislation setting emission limits and forcing labels to show conditions of use and the dangers these products pose for health. We also request that the oils and incense are controlled in the market and that those with a very high level of emissions be withdrawn.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-binding proposition that urges the Government, in collaboration with the autonomous communities, to set limits on 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.