Researchers from Purdue University in the United States have concluded that cleaning products scented with essential or synthetic oils may pose a risk to indoor air quality and public health.
The compounds responsible for the aromatic scents in these products, known as terpenes, react readily with ozone in enclosed spaces, forming tiny nanoparticles that can penetrate deep into lung tissue and enter the bloodstream.
Brandon Burr, the lead researcher on the study, explained that cleaning removes germs from surfaces but may generate invisible air pollution, noting that the resulting nanoparticles carry a respiratory dose similar to or greater than what a person might be exposed to while standing next to a busy road.
The team conducted their experiments inside a "miniature laboratory house" and found that the products used produce billions of nanoparticles (1-30 nanometers in diameter) within minutes, a size that most air quality monitors cannot detect, meaning that people could be inhaling them without realizing it.
The danger of these molecules lies in their ability to reach deep lung tissue, and some studies have linked excessive exposure to limonene (which gives citrus scents) to conditions that precede heart disease and diabetes.
Although terpenes are natural compounds found in the scents of pine, thyme, and lavender, their doses in cleaning products can be tens of times greater than what a person breathes in nature.
Burr pointed out that the reaction is similar to the processes that produce smog on highways, warning that the air may appear clean and smell pleasant while being contaminated with invisible particles. He concluded with practical recommendations: use unscented cleaning products, ventilate rooms while cleaning, and avoid ozone-generating devices marketed as air purifiers.
The researchers presented the results of this study at the American Chemical Society (ACS) Fall Meeting held from August 23 to 27.
Question: What is hidden pollution from scented cleaning products?
Answer: Scented cleaning products can release chemicals and fragrances into indoor air. Some of these substances may contribute to indoor air pollution even when we cannot see or smell them.
Question: How can these products affect our lungs?
Answer: Breathing air containing irritating chemicals may affect the respiratory system, particularly in people who are sensitive to fragrances or have existing breathing problems.
Question: Why is it important to be careful when using scented cleaners?
Answer: Indoor air can contain pollutants from cleaning products, especially when they are used frequently or in poorly ventilated rooms. Using products carefully and providing good ventilation can reduce exposure.
Question: What can everyone do to reduce exposure to cleaning-product pollution?
Answer: Choose fragrance-free products when possible, follow the product instructions, avoid mixing cleaning chemicals, and keep rooms well ventilated while cleaning.
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