Is your air freshener bad for your health?

Whether you whipped up something garlicky or have a wet dog running around, it's natural for homes to get a little smelly from time to time. While it's easy to reach for an air freshener to try to alleviate the stink, a growing body of research suggests that shouldn't be your go-to solution.

Air fresheners have several features that make them potentially problematic for indoor air quality, which is why some doctors are wary of using them. "There are health concerns with using air fresheners," Dr. Howard Kipen, a professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice at the Rutgers School of Public Health, tells Yahoo Life.

That doesn't mean you can't use air fresheners and be healthy, but there are a few key things to keep in mind. Here's what research suggests about the impact of air fresheners on health, plus what doctors want you to know.

How can air fresheners impact your health?

There are a few potential ways air fresheners can impact your health.

"Air fresheners, particularly those that are heated, release significant amounts of particulate matter into the air," Loren Wold, a particulate matter researcher and professor of physiology and cell biology at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, tells Yahoo Life. "These particulates can have significant health effects, including short-term coughing or asthmatic-like symptoms."

A study published earlier this year by Purdue University engineers and researchers determined that even heated wax melt air fresheners (often considered a "safer" choice) end up filling the air with tiny particles small enough to go deep into your lungs at a rate similar to "combustion-based scented candles, gas stoves, diesel engines and natural gas engines."

With long-term exposure, these particles can impact the function of your heart and other organ systems, Wold says. One slightly older (and somewhat smaller) study of 581 individuals published in 2012 also found that long-term frequent use of household cleaning sprays and scented products (especially air fresheners) may put people at an increased risk of cardiovascular health hazards, as measured by a lower heart rate variability in the participants who used these products most frequently. While this isn't a definitive finding and one that certainly deserves more research, it's a notable concern. And as the researchers also stated, individuals with preexisting lung issues may be even more susceptible.

To that end, air fresheners are likely to impact some people more than others. "For people who have lung disease or heart disease, or for those who are susceptible to allergic reactions, inhalation of these chemicals can cause potentially dangerous adverse effects," Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, a toxicologist at MedStar Health, tells Yahoo Life.

Every air freshener is slightly different, but Kipen says one of the biggest concerns with these products is volatile organic compounds. Also known as VOCs, these include things like formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, benzene and toluene. VOCs can cause ear, nose and throat irritation, along with headaches in the short term, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In the long term, they may cause damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system.

"Whether a spray or passive diffusion system, these air fresheners all release these VOCs," Kipen says. Products that have fragrance in plastic or wax may also release phthalates, which can impact the endocrine and reproductive systems, Wold says.

Some products are more concerning than others

Kipen is wary of using any type of air freshener, given that they can also release particulate matter and VOCs. However, he says that some are potentially more problematic than others.

Kipen says that citrus-scented sprays, which typically contain limonene, react strongly with ozone to make particulate matter. "Air fresheners may contain other potentially harmful VOCs, including xylene, which is linked to neurological damage, or naphthalene, a carcinogen," Johnson-Arbor says. "Unfortunately, in the United States, these chemicals are often not listed by name on air freshener packaging and are instead referred to as 'fragrance.' This makes it challenging for consumers to identify exactly what fragrance ingredients are used in a particular product."

Wold also notes that oil-based diffusers contain chemicals — including benzene, formaldehyde, toluene and phthalates — that transform into VOCs when they're heated. "All of these chemicals are known to have significant health impacts for people exposed to elevated concentrations and exposure should be limited," he says.

How to use air fresheners in a less problematic way

If you have an air freshener that you like and you want to keep on using it, doctors recommend making sure that you have good airflow. "Good ventilation is always a good thing," Jamie Alan, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, tells Yahoo Life.

Wold also suggests opening a window when using candles and diffusers. That can help to make sure that particulate matter that's released will escape the room, he says.

But Alan says you shouldn't panic and assume that your health will be horrible if you light the odd scented candle or spray air freshener here and there — you probably just don't want to do this daily. "Everything can be harmful at a certain dose, and [air fresheners] are no exception," Alan says.

There are safer alternatives to traditional air fresheners

It's probably not great for your health to spray your standard air freshener around your home (especially if your windows are closed and you do so regularly). That said, Wold offers a few alternatives to consider when you want to freshen up the smell:

• Cinnamon

• Anise

• Citrus peels

• Coffee

• Fragrant houseplants

• Potted geranium

• Non-toxic scented candles (these release "significantly less particulates" when they’re heated, he says)

For cinnamon, anise, citrus peels and coffee, you can create what Johnson-Arbor calls a "simmer pot," combining these with water and letting them gently heat on a stovetop. Baking soda can also help deodorize certain contained spots, like your refrigerator, Kipen says. He says an air purifier with a carbon filter (also known as a charcoal filter) could tamp down on unwanted scents in larger areas of your home too.

Overall, Johnson-Arbor recommends doing what you can to steer clear of traditional air fresheners. "Limit your use of air fresheners as much as possible, and always use the products only as directed on the package label," she says.

Nontoxic options to freshen your home's scent

If odor is a concern in your home and you want to freshen things up a little, consider these healthier-for-you options.

Coway Airmega 200M True HEPA Air Purifier

$230

This sleek air purifier is designed for rooms up to 361 square feet, making it a great option for most kitchens and living rooms. The purifier uses a four-stage filtration system, including a carbon filter, to clean and remove odors from the air. It also features an air quality indicator to give you a better sense of what you're breathing in. This purifier monitors your air and automatically adjusts itself based on what it detects.

$230 at Coway

Glicrili Dried Preserved Lavender Flowers Bundle

$19

These dried lavender flowers are naturally fragrant, infusing a subtle, relaxing scent around your home. The plant comes in a set of four, so you can place them in several rooms. Whether you stick them in a pot or hang them on a wall, they'll get to work quickly.

$19 at Glicrili

Fontana Candle Company — Wildflower Citrus

$29

Fontana Candle Company is one of the only candlemakers that carries the Made Safe seal and is third-party verified not to contain any toxic ingredients. These candles come in a variety of scents, including seasonal favorites like Spiced Latte and Fireside, and are made of 100% coconut oil and beeswax, essential oils and a wood wick. They burn clean, with each candle lasting roughly 35 to 40 hours. 

Fontana also offers nontoxic wax melts that have the Made Safe seal.

$29 at FONTANA CANDLE CO.

McCormick Cinnamon Sticks

$9

Put one of these cozy-smelling sticks in a pot of simmering water for DIY aromatherapy. The 8-ounce container holds a generous amount, allowing you to get a lot of natural odor-busting scent out of one package.

$9 at McCormick

Ella’s Homes Jasmine Plant

$36

This flowering plant has a light and fragrant scent to pep up your indoor air. The jasmine plant grows up to 6 inches tall and can live inside or outside. Just be aware that it requires plenty of sunlight, so you'll want to place it near a window.

$36 at ELLA'S HOMES

Meet the experts

• Dr. Howard Kipen, MD, MPH, a professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice at the Rutgers School of Public Health

• Loren Wold, PhD, a particulate matter researcher and professor of physiology and cell biology at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

• Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, a toxicologist at MedStar Health

• Jamie Alan, RPH, PharmD, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University

Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.