Expert Warns Air Fresheners Could Cause Illness

According to some experts, air fresheners could have an adverse effect on health.

Dr. Bill Rea of the Environmental Health Center in Dallas said air fresheners could cause heart irregularities, "brain fog," and flu-like symptoms.

Rea's patient , Joan Hopping, said exposure to air fresheners make her dizzy and disoriented. She said one whiff is enough to make her feel ill.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, air fresheners contain four basic ingredients:
# formaldehyde
# petroleum distillates
# P-Dichlorobenzene
# aerosol propellants

Rea said the chemicals are toxic and that they can disturb blood vessels and immune systems.

There is scientific research that raises questions about the safety of air fresheners, including a recent four-year study from the University of California, Berkeley.

However, the air freshener industry maintains that the conclusions are misleading.

A Consumer Specialty Products Association representative told NBC 5, "Companies that manufacture today's air fresheners ... carefully select ingredients and evaluate products for health and safety to assure that products are safe and effective."

CSPA reports that manufacturers provide warning labels and instructions on how to safely use products and the industry's Web site offers evidence that air fresheners are safe.

Rea disagrees. In fact, he said, everyone should refrain from using air fresheners and that cumulative effects could cause health problems.