May 18, 2004 – Electric air fresheners1 that you plug into the wall and that diffuse a sweet fragrance could become sources of indoor pollution. According to a preliminary study2 published by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), when the substances emitted by these deodorizers combine with the ozone in the ambient air, they produce formaldehyde compounds, suspected of being carcinogenic.
The measured formaldehyde levels are not alarming, but in certain circumstances they could reach worrying levels. Indeed, if in addition to an electric deodorizer an ozone generator intended to purify the air is used, this can cause much higher rates. The same is true if the deodorizer is used on a day when the concentration of ozone (generated mainly by emissions from motor vehicles in reaction with sunlight) is high. In addition to the potentially carcinogenic properties of formaldehyde, the fine particles could cause respiratory problems and asthma.
According to Ken Giles of the EPA, with the current state of knowledge, it is probably safer to prevent bad odors at the source than to try to mask them with chemicals. Airing and cleaning would still be the best means of ensuring the freshness of the air, while avoiding indoor pollution problems.
Léon René de Cotret – PasseportSanté.net
According to Nature Science Update, May 10, 2004.
1. Small appliance fitted with an electric power plug, used to diffuse, under the effect of heat, a perfume, a deodorant, etc (plug-in air freshener).
2. Liu, X et al. Full-Scale Chamber Investigation and Simulation of Air Freshener Emissions in the Presence of Ozone, About. Sci. & Technol., 2004, 38,2802-2812. [Consulté le 13 mai 2004]. http://pubs3.acs.org
