A room spray with fragrance can help freshen up a room and eliminate unpleasant odors. They are a great alternative to candles, are super portable, and provide a concentrated burst of scent.The different fragrance ingredients listed, such as hexyl cinnamal, linalool, geraniol, alpha-isomethyl lonone, limonene, citronellol, benzyl benzoate, citral, and hydroxycitronellal, can provide a pleasant and long-lasting aroma to any space and are found in some top brand room sprays. But are they safe? Lets break some of them down:
Hydrofluorocarbon 152a: It is not recommended to use Hydrofluorocarbon 152a as an ingredient in room sprays as it is a propellant that can potentially harm the environment.
Hexyl cinnamal: a naturally occurring and synthetic scent ingredient; it is associated with allergic reactions and immunotoxicty
Alcohol denat: is a solvent that can help dissolve the fragrance ingredients and evenly distribute them throughout the room. It can also act as a disinfectant and help kill bacteria and germs in the air. Lightly toxic by inhalation, dermal absorption, and ingestion. TARGET EFFECTS: Central nervous system depressant. Poisoning may also affect the liver and kidneys. AT INCREASED RISK FROM EXPOSURE: Persons with chronic respiratory disease, skin disease or anemia.
Parabens are a family of related chemicals that are commonly used as preservatives in cosmetic products. Preservatives may be used in cosmetics to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and mold, in order to protect both the products and consumers.
Parabens can act like the hormone estrogen in the body and disrupt the normal function of hormone systems affecting male and female reproductive system functioning, reproductive development, fertility and birth outcomes. Parabens can also interfere with the production of hormones.
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more durable. They are often called plasticizers. Some phthalates are used to help dissolve other materials. Phthalates are in hundreds of products, such as vinyl flooring, lubricating oils, and personal-care products (soaps, shampoos, hair sprays)
Phthalates are weak endocrine disruptors and androgen blocking chemicals. This means that when absorbed into the body phthalates can either mimic or block female hormones, or in males, suppress the hormones involved in male sexual development. Phthalates cross the placenta.
Phthalate exposure is linked to:
- Hormonal abnormalities
- Lower IQ and ADHD in children
- Birth defects of the reproductive organs
- Fertility problems including miscarriage and low sperm count
Buyer beware: the FDA has no regulations on the use of phthalates and does not require companies to list them on product labels. Instead these chemicals hide under the word “fragrance.”
"Fragrance": Fragrance formulas are protected under trade secret law, which means companies don’t have to disclose the chemicals that make up that fragrance, and they definitely don’t have to list them out on the product label!
VOC's (volatile organic compounds): Volatile organic compounds are substances that are a key reactant in the formation of atmospheric smog and ozone. Volatile organic compounds react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight to form smog, which is a toxic environmental hazard.
Breathing VOCs can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, can cause difficulty breathing and nausea, and can damage the central nervous system and other organs. Some VOCs can cause cancer.
Did you know? In a study of fragrance products, including air freshener spray and plug-ins, researchers identified 20 different VOCs just in the plug-in freshener, including seven regulated as toxic or hazardous under U.S. federal laws.
According to Women’s Voices for the Earth, there are over 3,000 fragrance ingredients declared by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) to be currently in use in fragrance. Here are a few of them:
- Carcinogens such as styrene, methyl eugenol, pyridine and BHA
- Reproductive toxins like phthalates, lilial (butylphenyl methylpropanal) and nonylphenol
- Neurotoxicants such as xylenes and phenol
- Skin allergens such as linalool, hexyl cinnamal, geraniol, and HICC
Overall, a room spray with fragrance can provide a refreshing and clean scent to a room, while also potentially disinfecting the air. However, it's important to note that some people may be allergic to certain fragrance ingredients, so it's important to check for any potential allergies before using a room spray with fragrance.
Less than 10% of air freshener ingredients are usually disclosed.
Our Room Sprays are:
VOC Free, Non-Toxic, Biodegradable and Eco-friendly, Contains the safe, non-toxic and naturally derived preservative, optiphen, DPG-free, Alcohol-free, Phthalate-free, Paraben-free, California Prop 65 compliant, Vegan-friendly and Cruelty-free
Our ingredients:
RO/DI Water: RO/DI water is short for Reverse Osmosis De-Ionized water. Reverse Osmosis water is forced through a membrane filter cartridge that rejects even the most minute particles and only allows almost 100% pure water through.
DEG Monobuytl Ether is an organic compound, one of several glycol ether solvents. It is a colorless liquid with a low odour and high boiling point. It is mainly used as a solvent for paints and varnishes in the chemical industry, household detergents, brewing chemicals and textile processing.
This concentration is in the range of the saturated vapour concentration. Thus diethylene glycol monobutyl ether vapour can be inhaled without any adverse effects.
Natural Odor Absorbing Enzymes, Optiphen: Phenoxyethanol It is a highly safe preservative free of Paraben and Formaldehyde which are carcinogenic substances. Phenoxyethanol (Optiphen) is the safest preservative free from Paraben (eg Ethylparaben, Methylparaben) and Formaldehyde.
