The Household & Commercial Products Association (HCPA) released the following statement today in response to recent inaccuracies in the media about air fresheners that could cause unnecessary concern among consumers. Air fresheners are a safe and effective way to counteract unpleasant odors and add an appealing scent to indoor environments.
There have been claims that the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that come from air fresheners are harmful; however, these VOCs are safe for human health and the environment at everyday concentrations. In fact, most of what you smell is caused by VOCs. Cooking scrambled eggs, freshly cut grass, and burnt popcorn all emit VOCs, and less than 0.2 percent of VOCs are from air fresheners.
Air fresheners and their ingredients undergo rigorous safety testing and must comply with stringent federal and state air quality regulations, including those set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Additionally, the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) performs extensive safety assessments on fragrance ingredients.
Contrary to claims made by the media, the California Cleaning Product Right to Know Act, which passed with bipartisan support and was signed into law in 2017 by then-Governor Jerry Brown (D-CA), requires manufacturers to disclose certain ingredients in their products, including fragrances. Because of California’s economic importance, this law serves as the de facto national standard and is followed by makers of air fresheners across the U.S.
Ultimately, consumers can be confident that air fresheners are safe and effective when used according to the directions on the label.
