Car Air Fresheners Are a Lie. Here's What You're Really Inhaling
Darin OlienPublished on April 20, 2025
Summary authored by editor@wellifi.com
TLDR Summary
Car air fresheners, especially the common little tree-shaped ones, contain harmful volatile organic compounds that can negatively impact health. It's crucial to advocate for fragrance-free options in ride-sharing services and replace harmful products with safer alternatives.
Key Points
- Car air fresheners contain harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- Many air fresheners are unregulated, with hazardous chemicals not listed on labels.
- Individuals with asthma and migraines often experience symptoms triggered by air fresheners.
- Neurodivergent individuals are particularly affected by fragrance products.
- Natural air fresheners may not be safer than conventional ones.
- We should advocate for fragrance-free options in ride-sharing apps.
Taking Control of Our Air: The Dangers of Car Air Fresheners
Welcome to the Superlife podcast with me, Darren Oolen. Today, we're diving into a topic that has been troubling me: the common car air fresheners, particularly the little tree-shaped ones that many Uber and Lyft drivers use. While they may seem harmless, the truth is far more disturbing. These air fresheners can be harmful chemical bombs that negatively impact our health.
What’s in Air Fresheners?
Recent research has revealed alarming information about the contents of popular car air fresheners. A study titled Volatile Chemical Emissions from Car Air Fresheners analyzed 12 different air freshener products and uncovered 546 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Of these, 30 were deemed potentially hazardous. Shockingly, none of these hazardous chemicals were listed on any product labels.
The Impact on Our Health
The proximity of our noses to our brains makes us particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of these chemicals. Studies have shown that individuals with asthma experience significant symptoms when exposed to scented products, with 41% citing air fresheners as a trigger. Moreover, nearly half of those who suffer from migraines reported that air fresheners can provoke their headaches.
Even more concerning is the effect on neurodivergent individuals. A study found that over 83% of autistic participants reported that fragranced products triggered serious neurological and respiratory problems. Additionally, animal studies indicate that exposure to these air fresheners can lead to increased anxiety and memory loss.
The Misleading Nature of “Green” Products
Many consumers believe that opting for “natural” air fresheners is a safer choice. However, a study revealed that even these so-called green products released similar levels of VOCs as conventional air fresheners, showing no meaningful difference in safety.
Taking Action
If you're as frustrated as I am about the lack of regulation surrounding these products, it’s time to take action. We need to advocate for a fragrance-free option on ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft. Here are some steps we can take:
- Demand a fragrance-free option: Use social media to tag Uber and Lyft and push for a fragrance-free button in their apps.
- Educate drivers: Politely ask drivers to remove air fresheners from their vehicles if you are sensitive to scents.
- Use natural alternatives: Replace air fresheners in your own car with baking soda or activated charcoal to absorb odors. Essential oils can be used for a light scent without the harmful chemicals.
Conclusion
We have the power to reclaim our air quality and demand safer alternatives to these harmful products. By spreading awareness and making conscious choices, we can ensure a healthier environment for ourselves and others. Let’s clean up our air, one ride at a time.
For further details and studies mentioned in this podcast, check out the show notes. Remember, knowledge is power!