Scented Cleaners: A Hidden Pollution Threatening the Lungs and Bloodstream
A recent study conducted by researchers at Purdue University in the United States has found that cleaning products scented with natural or synthetic oils pose a significant risk to indoor air quality and public health. This danger stems from the fact that the compounds responsible for these pleasant fragrances, scientifically known as “terpenes,” react rapidly with ozone present in indoor environments. This chemical reaction generates billions of extremely fine ultrafine particles (with diameters ranging from 1 to 30 nanometers) within just a few minutes. These ultrafine particles are too small for most home air quality monitors to detect or identify.
The health hazard of these particles lies in their ability to penetrate deeply into sensitive lung tissue and pass directly into the bloodstream and circulatory system. In this context, the study’s lead researcher, Professor Brandon Booth, emphasized that while cleaning removes germs and microbes from surfaces, it also generates invisible air pollution that closely resembles the smog produced on busy highways. He added that the respiratory dose a person inhales in their home during cleaning is equivalent to or exceeds what they might be exposed to while standing directly next to a congested roadway.
Although terpene compounds are naturally occurring and are found in the scents of pine, lavender, and thyme, their concentration and dosage in cleaning liquids and products exceed their natural levels by tens of times. The study warned against excessive and continuous exposure to certain of these compounds, such as limonene, which is responsible for citrus scents, because previous research has linked it to health conditions that precede heart disease and diabetes.
Based on these findings, presented at the American Chemical Society meeting, scientists recommend practical preventive measures, including the use of unscented and fragrance-free cleaning products, ensuring rooms are well-ventilated throughout the cleaning process, and avoiding the purchase of ozone-generating devices marketed in the market as air purifiers.
