Evaluating air quality with and without air fresheners

This study evaluates the effects of air fresheners on air quality with a focus ond-limonene, a prevalent and dominant compound in air fresheners and one that can generate hazardous air pollutants. Using workplace environments, the study analyses and comparesd-limonene concentrations in restrooms that use air fresheners, that discontinue the use of air fresheners, and that do not use air fresheners. In restrooms that use air fresheners,d-limonene concentrations averaged 6.78 μg/m3 compared with 0.84 μg/m3 in restrooms that do not use air fresheners. Further, after discontinuing the use of air fresheners,d-limonene concentrations decreased up to 96% within 2 weeks with an average reduction of 81% and an average concentration down to 1.17 μg/m3. These findings suggest that a straightforward strategy, such as ceasing the use of air fresheners, can produce measurable benefits for indoor air quality.
Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research